The GRAND Children of God

Luda's Christmas Visit - 2011

2012-01-03T19:47:00.158-05:00

Luda, the mother of our foster home in Ukraine was invited to serve as a chaperone for an orphan hosting trip to the US during the Christmas holidays. The trip was led by our friends, Oksana and Helen, who serve as directors for the non-profit organization Circle of Friends.

http://cofriends.org.ua/en/home.html

A time of rest and rejuvenation was sorely needed for this mother of the 7 teenagers who works tirelessly not only with our family but also as one of the primary advocates for all of the "grad" orphans in Ukraine. Luda's 3 adult biological daughters offered to care for the 7 teenagers at home over this holiday because they knew just how much their mother needed this time away from the many demands she meets daily.

After arriving in New York for a three week stay in the US, we first brought Luda to our home in Florida for this much needed period of rest. Immediately, she slept for 30 hours, got up to eat a little, returned to sleep for another 24 hours. During the ten day stay in our home, we insisted that she do nothing but relax and rest. This was a great correspondence "catch up" time for her.

During her visit here, she was able visit with the US office staff at Music Mission Kiev who are great prayer partners for our family in Ukraine.

She spent Christmas with our family and our church and was able to visit three local families who have adopted a total of 7 girls from Ukraine.

The weather was perfect in Florida during her visit and she marveled at being able to eat breakfast each morning on our lanai. Reluctantly, after her period of rest, we sent her on to Virginia and Seattle where she was scheduled to speak with churches there who support the work of Circle of Friends

On Christmas Eve, we couldn't resist taking the photo of her standing by a large Christmas tree with an angel seemingly "on her shoulder" just like the angel that lives in her heart.

Oleg 2007 - Oleg 2011

2011-11-15T15:22:00.000-05:00

Oleg when we first met him the Krasny Hutor orphanage in May of 2007

Oleg in September of 2011 as culinary student in Kiev

We Have Just Returned from 3 Weeks in Ukraine....More News to Follow

2011-09-17T06:38:00.000-04:00

Tania Celebrates 14th Birthday on August 16th

2011-08-22T11:55:00.000-04:00

Tania, the youngest member of our family in Ukraine celebrated her 14th birthday this week.

Imagine a household with 7 teenagers ranging from ages 14-17 - wow!

Tania always has a wonderfully cooperative attitude. She loves people and she loves animals.

Enjoy some photos from our last four years with her.

Tania loves to cook and she loves to eat!

Tania is always a willing helper - Summer 2008

Everyone loves surprises - Winter 2009

Tania is the primary caretaker for the family dog

Our first Christmas in 2007


Gotta love those freckles!

May 2011

Sasha's 16th Birthday - August 1st

2011-08-20T15:18:00.000-04:00

Sasha, the shortened version of Alexander in Russia, had his

16th birthday on August 1st.

It seems impossible to believe that four years have passed since these children, who are no longer children, came into our lives. Sasha is an incredible young man who shows much promise for a meaningful future. He is a serious student who is willing to work hard and learn. He is quiet, yet a keen listener. Sasha draws well and want to become an architect. Luda has him enrolled in a university track program in an effort to develop his academic talents.

Wanted: Churches for "Adopt An Orphanage" Program

2011-07-25T09:44:00.000-04:00

Learn How Your Church Can Adopt An Orphanage

LIFESONG FOR ORPHANS - ADOPT AN ORPHANAGE

http://www.lifesongfororphans.org/adoptOrp.html

Many of you know that in addition to our independent involvement in Ukraine with Luda and our family in Rogoziv we have also partnered with Lifesong for Orphans in supporting their ministry in Ukraine. In particular, we have sponsored a Lifesong initiative in Chernigov which is the capital of the Oblast (State) where Krasny Hutor Orphanage is located.

We thought that it would be meaningful to comment on the Lifesong Program in Chernigov and periodically provide updates since the program is beginning to have serious impact on changing children's lives there.

Lifesong's mission is to bring Joy and Purpose to orphans by mobilizing the Church, the body of Christ, wherein some individuals can facilitate adoptions and other can provide direct outreach. You can learn more about Lifesong at http://www.lifesongfororphans.org.

The outreach program in Chernigov provides an ongoing Constant Christian Presence (CCP) orphan care program which involves:

Improving Living Conditions. Through financial support and mission teams, LS provides basic needs: food, clothing, bedding, orphanage facility renovations, and medical supplies for hospitals and clinics
.

Constant Christian Presence (CCP). In order to provide Biblical training, LS hires national Christians who work in the orphanages on a full-time basis. In each orphanage, LS CCP staff develop trusting relationships with orphans to develop Biblical understanding, one-on-one counseling, support to develop skills in life issues, and nurture in a comfortable and safe environment. The ultimate goal of CCP mentors is to model Christ-centered living.

Job Skill Training. To prepare the children for their future role in society, LS provides practical training with farm animals and equipment, sewing machines, baking equipment, and computer labs.

Transition Home (for orphans who “age out”). Orphan children who “age-out” of the government orphanage system need the support and accountability a church family provides. LS encourages lasting relationships with weekly Bible studies, counseling, and transportation to church activities.

You can learn more about the program at http://www.lifesongfororphans.org/orphanagesUkr.html

The program in Chernigov is at Gorodnya Orphanage. The First Baptist Church of Chernigov works closely with Lifesong in ministering to the children. The Director of the program, Bogdan Mazur is a member of the church (his wife Lilya is the Pastor's daughter) and many of the team members are from this church.

A Short History

Lifesong's primary focus in Ukraine has been in eastern Ukraine in the Kharkov region where Denis Polashek, the National Director has mobilized a salaried and professionally trained staff of more than 40 Ukrainian Christians mentoring more than 1000 children. Skill training centers have been established at orphanages and transition homes are being used as the children grow and age through the CCP program.

In 2008 Luda took us to First Baptist Church in Chernigov where we worshipped together and discussed their passion to minister to the children at nearby Gorodnya orphanage. This led to our efforts to persuade Lifesong to establish a CCP program there. Under our sponsorship the program was begun in 2008 with the hearty support of the Church. The program has grown slowly. There are now two rooms (Room of Hope and Trust) in the orphanage that we have remodeled for Lifesong staff use. Bogdan is the only full time staff member but he is assisted by a team of volunteers.

The Constant Christian Presence has begun to bear fruit with a core group of children, with some of them even growing to the point of visiting with Church members on weekends for Christian fellowship and worship. The children are mostly younger but we are beginning to think and plan ahead to a skills training center and a transition home as the children follow through the program and prepare for their future.

Cooking 101

Bogdan teaching Life Skills class at Gorodnya in Room of Hope and Trust


Pietr, a grad orphan himself works with Bogdan as a volunteer

The Chernigov Baptist Church Congregation

Chernigov Baptist's Minister and Wife

2011 SUMMER UPDATE

2011-07-24T21:35:00.000-04:00

Luda and Tolik are always working to find ways to improve the lives of the seven children in the house in Rogoziv.

Dima, who is now in military school, is spending the summer with a family in France that he established a relationship with four years ago while living in the orphanage.

Tania is spending the summer in Buffalo, New York with a family that hosted her the summer of 2007 while she still lived in the orphanage.

Oleg is working as a cook in a Kiev restaurant this summer putting to practice the skills he has learned this past year in cooking school.

Slavik has gone to a military camp with a family friend who heads a Military Ministry in Ukraine.

Sasha is working with Tolik while he also prepares to enter a University school in the fall.

Vika spend part of the summer visiting Luda's mother in Rovne

and part of the summer in a Christian camp.

Toily is spending the summer in the same Christian camp that Vika is attending.

Alona and Tanya's Journey to Florida

2011-06-25T08:37:00.000-04:00


We were drawn to Alona and Tanya while visiting the Krasny Hutor orphanage in 2007. Because of our affections for them we knew that we wanted them to be a part of the family home that we hoped to establish in an effort to bring some orphans there into a loving family environment. While inquiring, we learned that a single American woman was in the process of adopting them and this fact would prevent them from being a part of our family home.

It was a short while later when we learned that Ukraine had changed their adoption rules and would no longer allow single people to adopt from their country. So these two dear sisters were no longer being adopted as well as not being included in our family home.

At this time, our good friends in Orlando, Tom and Mary Mack stepped forward saying "we want to adopt them!" The long, anxiety-ridden, two year process to bring these girls to Florida began and in August of 2009, Tom and Mary arrived home with their girls.


Dreams are fulfilled and prayers are answered!


These beautiful, fun-loving girls are a wonderful addition to all of our lives and a testimony to God's goodness. Tom and Mary are doing a fantastic job raising them in a loving Christian environment.

Tom and Mary with Alona and Tanya, sister Annie and brother Sam

Little Aloysha Has the Chicken Pox

2011-06-24T19:38:00.001-04:00


Our little Aloysha when we discovered him during the summer of 2008


The same summer of 2008 when Aloysha and his sister Tania started coming to the house for meals

The summer of 2011 finds him so happy that even the chicken pox won't rob him of any joy.

Happy 17th Birthday Dima!

2011-05-26T20:24:00.014-04:00

On June 6th, 2011 Dima will be 17 years old!

Here are a few photos from the past four years

Christmas 2007

Summer 2008

Autumn 2009

Now a Military School Student

Autumn 2010

Winter 2010

May 2011

Where in the World are the OCC Boxes?

2011-05-20T15:22:00.004-04:00

The Journey of a Shoe Box

The mission of Operation Christmas Child is to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to needy children around the world, and together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Last fall we got involved with the Operation Christmas Child project at our local church.
http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/
We soon learned what a wonderful and successful project it had grown to be as it shared not only Christmas gifts to children around the world but also the story of Jesus and His love for them.

Early in 2011 Luda and Tolik, our Ukrainian house parents, had made a trip to the orphanage at Krasney Hutor where the seven children in our home had lived prior to being taken from this orphanage. Regretfully, they have to make this eight hour round trip trip every six months to update paperwork on these children.
But they make it a positive experience and take along gifts, fruit, smiles and hugs to share with their friends who are still living there.
Luda is always gracious enough to take photos to send along to us so that we can share in these experiences as much as possible.
Here are some of our kids reunited with their old friends at the orphanage.

__________________________________________________

We were thrilled when we saw that these photos included pictures of Operation Christmas Child boxes being carried from their van into the orphanage to be distributed to the children there. What a surprise to us! Who knows, perhaps one of the very boxes we packed ended up in the hands of an orphan at Krasney Hutor.

Toily, Luda's best helper carrying the boxes!

Dima in his military school uniform helps distribute the boxes

Included inside every Christmas box is a booklet titled

"The Greatest Gift of All" telling of how Jesus loves each of us.

This booklet is translated into many languages.

Lives are being changed by this small, simple story.

So we ask, where in the world are the OCC Boxes?

All of you who are familiar with the orphans of Krasney Hutor will be as thrilled as we are to know many of them landed there and will continue to be delivered there while Luda and Tolik are working to change the lives of many children.

Aloysha and Tania Update

2011-05-20T13:35:00.008-04:00

TANIA & ALOYSHA THEN & NOW..............


Here is Tania just two summers ago hungry and neglected at her home in the village of Rogoziv. She was so thin as we observed her giving up what little food they had in order to feed her brothers.

Here is little Aloysha dirty, hungry, neglected and totally dependent on his nine year sister for his care. His father had disappeared, his mother was an alcoholic street tramp and rarely at home. We have observed that this is usually the way such children go from home to orphanage.

Here is the kitchen and living room where these children existed on their own. We found them wandering the streets in the village of Rogoziv and invited them to our home for something to eat. They found their way back to our front gate often and stood there waiting to be invited in to share meals. It was a joy to all of our family to care for and love them. Our kids rushed around trying to find clothing to fit them. When we tried to give Aloysha a shower he screamed in fear as it was the first time for such an experience.

Soon they learned to trust this new safe refuge where they were surrounded by a loving family.

And then God provided a way for them and one of Luda's daughter and son-in-law stepped forward to adopt these two children. Now two summers later after being adopted, Tania and Aloysha are thriving with the love and care given them by their immediate family as well as a large Christian family surrounding them with their love.

Tania celebrating her 11th birthday


Aloysha with Angelica with his little sister (Ira and Slavic's biological daughter).

Tania and Aloysha are doing well in school. Tania played the role of Mary in her church's Christmas pageant. They are glowing with good health and the joy of being loved unconditionally.

Aloysha, Slavic, Tania, Ira, Angelica

Ira and Aloysha

It is indeed a blessing to see these once desperate children happily spending their days in the safe, secure, loving environment that Ira and Slavic have created for them and to know that our family of seven rescued children has grown from seven to nine!

Happy 15th Birthday Slavic!

2011-05-02T14:08:00.003-04:00

Picture collage made with Smilebox

OLEG THEN AND NOW..............

2010-10-01T17:36:00.013-04:00

Oleg during our 2007 visit to the remote Krasny Hutor orphanage in northern Ukraine

It was three years ago at this time, that we first met Oleg Makhovik living a life of poverty and misery in the dismal setting of the Krasny Hutor orphanage. He told us of how he had lived on the streets, foraging through garbage looking for something to eat, when he was picked up by the police and taken to this orphanage. It was a year later that we were able to take him from this orphanage into the family home that we had purchased in Rogoziv in order to find a better way of life for him and six other children who also lived at Krasny Hutor.

Now, three years later, Oleg is studying to become a chef at a cooking school in Kiev

Oleg with Luda and Dima

Dima is now studying at a military school in Kiev

Dima is the oldest child in our family. He is anxious to become a computer specialist and is now enrolled in a prominent military school in Kiev. Dima lives at the military school, while Oleg who is also studying in Kiev lives in the family apartment along with his brother Tolya and Papa Tolik (currently working on construction jobs in Kiev). Tolya is also studying in a trade school in Kiev preparing for a career in the construction trades. As reported earlier, family friend Oleg Yemchuk is also staying in the apartment temporarily.

Below is a photo of Dima three years earlier at Krasny Hutor Orphanage.

Earlier Dima had witnessed his father's drunken suicide, horrifically attempting to prevent his father from hanging himself. Dima's younger sisters Vika and Tania live with Luda in the family home in Rogoziv. They have blossomed into beautiful young teenage ladies. More about them later.

Luda, Oleg, Sasha and Slavic Visit the US

2010-09-25T11:29:00.000-04:00

Luda along with Sasha, Slavic and our 2008-2009 exchange student Oleg, arrived on July 17th for a two week visit with us in Florida. Luda spent one week of this time visiting with former friends from Ukraine that now live in Virginia.

This trip was planned as a reward for Sasha and Slavic who have both excelled with their school work. We were happy to have Oleg come along to serve as our translator. Besides that we just love the guy!

We gave them a day to recover and then we headed to the beach! Friends and family contributed complimentary tickets to Disney and Universal, took them tubing on a local lake, played tennis, drove go-karts and played paintball with them. It's been really hot in Florida this summer so the temperatures and humidity were quite an adjustment. As a result, the absolute main attractions were eating ice cream and swimming!

On their first Sunday here we attended our church at St. Andrews Chapel in Sanford, Fl.

The second Sunday we attended Northland in Longwood, Fl. filling two rows together with Larry Vandermaten and his three newly adopted daughters from Ukraine, Katia, Dasha and Tania. Tom and Mary Mack and their daughters, Tania and Alona, adopted from Ukraine one year ago and Marc, Sherilyn and Avery McMurrin were there to complete our Orlando US Ukraine family all joining in worship together.

After church we all got together for a send-off dinner for the boys before they left to return to their home in Rogoziv. Seated at the table above clockwise from left to right are Beth, Katia, Dasha and Tania Vandermaten, Tania and Alona Mack, Slavic, Sasha and Roger.

Mark and Sharilyn McMurrin and their daughter Avery.

Larry Vandermaten and his son Danny.

Proud Mom and Dad of Tania and Alona, Tom and Mary Mack.

Oleg was a continual hit with the girls.

A highlight of the trip was the reunion of Sasha and Slavic with Tania and Alona. These children all lived together at Krasny Hutor orphanage before coming to live in these two wonderful Christian families.

Praise the Lord !

An American Picnic in Rogoziv

2010-05-20T13:49:00.010-04:00

Our Orlando friends, Sheri and Larry Vandermaten, have spent the past five weeks in Ukraine
in the process of adopting three sisters. They will be traveling home with their new daughters
on Saturday, May 22nd. Before leaving the country they spent the day in Rogoziv with our
family enjoying an American style picnic together. They cooked cheeseburgers on a backyard
grill - so much better than McDonalds! Our kids loved it! Everyone had a delightful time.

"FAMILY OF THE YEAR!"

2010-05-20T13:09:00.013-04:00

We received word this week from Luda that the family has received recognition

from Ukraine as Family of the Year! She sent no details or explanation, but

regardless this gives us great satisfaction and pride knowing that the work

Luda and Tolik are doing with our "grandkids" is being recognized, valued

and honored not only by God but by the state as well.

In just two years, Oleg, Vika, Dima, Toily, Tania, Sasha, Toily and Slavik have grown, learned and reached out to others as a family and as individuals on their way to becoming adults who will make positive Christian contributions in their country.

Winter Activities in the Room of Hope and Trust

2010-02-22T20:44:00.010-05:00

During the school year, Luda's daughter Alona has been leading after-school and Saturday sessions at the local school in a room designated as the "room of hope and trust." This room was donated to be specifically used as a gathering place for the local children. It has become a popular place where the children meet to enjoy crafts, snacks, games and Bible lessons. Our "grandchildren" have been involved as Alona's assistants with these activities

Snow Shovels

2010-02-18T20:05:00.004-05:00

Notice the uniquely designed snow shovels created by Tolik that are leaning against the side of the garage. He never fails to find ways to keep five teenage boys busy!

Huge amounts of snow have fallen in Ukraine this winter where there are no snowplows or any heavy equipment available for snow removal. Springtime will be especially wonderful for them this year.

Happy 14th Birthday Vika!

2010-02-11T21:43:00.000-05:00

Make a Smilebox greeting

Christmas In Ukraine

2010-01-08T14:55:00.005-05:00

Christmas Greetings from our family in Ukraine who are enjoying a very snowy winter!

January 2010

Birthday Celebrations!

2009-10-26T12:57:00.006-04:00

Oleg and Aloysha celebrated their birthdays together on October 19th. Oleg is now 15 years old and Aloysha is now 4 years old. Aren't their smiles great! It is truly delightful to share the joy and happiness surrounding them as part of this wonderful family.

21 People Around the Dinner Table

2009-10-14T18:02:00.011-04:00

The day before we were to return to the US, Luda spent the day preparing a wonderful farewell dinner.

By the time her three adult biological daughters arrived with children, cakes, fruit and candy we had 21 people to seat around the dinner table. Needless to say it was a fun-filled, noisy celebration ending a very satisfying month-long visit in Ukraine. Tearfully we had to say goodbye to these wonderful people that we have grown to love dearly.

October 4 Worship and Fellowship in Chernigov

2009-10-05T11:29:00.006-04:00

Sunday was a fitting end to our visit to Chernigov. Luda, Roger and Beth attended their worship service that concluded with communion. Although we did not understand the words spoken, we understood the spirit being shared.

Afterwards we enjoyed lunch with the pastor Vladimir and wife Galena, along with his family which included three daughters, Lylia, Julia, Litza and son-in-law Bogdan. This was an important time to share both fellowship and ideas regarding the partnership of their church with two churches in America. We came away encouraged and inspired to work harder to help support this church in their efforts to help orphans.

October 3 - Gorodnya Orphanage

2009-10-04T02:20:00.012-04:00

On Saturday morning we joined Bogdan Mazur and his team for their weekly trip to the Gorodnya orphanage. It is a 45 minute drive again through the beautiful Ukraine countryside. His team of 6 have committed to spend each Saturday with the children there in order to establish a constant Christian presence that is building trust and love between them and the children.

There was a small group waiting at the orphanage gate to greet us with lots of smiles and hugs. These children are eager to get started with the day’s planned schedule that includes English, music and life skill lessons, crafts and sports activities. The team is not allowed to be obviously teaching the Bible, but is easy to see that all of their activities carry strong Biblical implications.

The orphanage is cold and dreary as it is 42 degrees in Chernigov. The government controls the heat plants and they do not turn the heat on throughout the country until October 15th. But the “room of hope and trust” that has been renovated, decorated and furnished by Lifesong For Orphans is bright, warm and glowing with activity and Christian love. Easily it is the “warmest” room in the orphanage.

The room has been furnished with a sink and media aids. There are plenty of snacks available as well as crafts and teaching supplies. Our heartfelt thanks go out the anonymous donor who has helped to make this room possible.

One of the most remarkable activities of the day was to watch Luda stroll about the orphanage grounds (the children’s schedule is loose on Saturday) and interact with the children. Throughout the day we see her huddled with a few children of differing ages. She offers some hugs, acquires phone numbers (yes, many older orphans have cell phones), and somehow by the looks on their faces you can sense that she is offering some glimmer of hope. When we see her with the children like this we cannot help but think of the heart of Mother Theresa.

Photos Below

October 2 Valera and Company

2009-10-04T02:18:00.013-04:00

Valera and Company

We returned the rental car after two dead batteries and opted to travel to Chernigov by mashutka. We were met at the familiar McDonald’s bus stop by Bogdan and immediately set out on a planned side trip (two hours there and two hours back) on an extremely bumpy road to the trade school where many of the orphans from Krasny Hutor are sent when they “age out” of the orphanage. It was a beautiful sunny day through the Ukraine countryside along tree-lined roads already ablaze with fall colors. Enjoying the scenery made the long trip much easier.

Trade School Grounds (former Government Institute)

We arrived at Sokirintsy and shortly afterwards were greeted by Lubomil, a twin brother to Yuroslav (two brothers that we have been acquainted with for the past two years at Krasny Hutor). He escorted us to the assistant director’s office where she offered to gather students from Krasny Hutor to meet with us.

We recognized some faces but many were new to us. Our Oleg’s brother Peter is in school here and it is always good to see him again. We especially wanted to spend time with Valera. He is 17 years old and in his second year at the trade school. He still seems so young and tender and in that vulnerable time in his life where it may be possible to rescue him from the many temptations surrounding him.

Our Oleg's Brother Peter

Valera
Like the two of us and our friend Lynn in Colorado, Luda was drawn to Valera and soon wanted to find a way to embrace him as a part of our extended family that continues to grow in many ways. Luda has invited Valera to come and spend two weeks with our family during the autumn break in late October. We know now that others will be invited in the future. (There are now seven bedrooms, plus other sleeping areas in the family home. Tolik has been busy expanding the finished basement in this large home.)

Lubomil, the twin brother from Krasny Hutor mentioned above, has started a small Bible study group at the trade school. We were all overwhelmed with this great news and Luda immediately committed to coming once a month to assist with this study and worship and keep a continued presence in Valera’s life as well as others that may show interest in being a part of this group. Luda knows that it is a difficult two hour trip but always seems to find the time when the children reach out for hope and help. This is not exactly constant Christian presence but it certainly pleases us to know that there will be some sort of continuing Christian presence available for these vulnerable children.

Sept. 30 - Roger and Diane McMurrin Visit our Family Home

2009-09-30T02:36:00.019-04:00

All of our involvement in helping children in Ukraine has sprung from our first introduction to Roger and Diane McMurrin and the staff of Music Mission Kiev. You may remember that it was on that first vison trip here with MMK that we went to Krasny Hutor and first met the children. That first Christmas before the children were released from the orphanage we worshiped together with the children at Roger and Diane's church during a candlelight Christmas Eve Service.

The church includes some 500 - 600 widows brought to Christ through MMK's mission outreach. They are some of the most devout and evangelical Christians that we have ever met. They have been in constant prayer for this family ever since Roger told our story and are anxious to help in any way that they can.

Now that Roger is slowly stepping down from the leadership of MMK (his son Matt and family will be taking over) Roger and Diane have decided to refocus on orphan aid. They are very interested in trying to find ways to expand on the family home concept to bring orphaned children into good Ukrainian Christian home settings.

Roger and Diane visited us at the family home on Tuesday. They toured the home and the property and later when the children came home from school we enjoyed a family meal together. As always there were extra places to set at the table as Luda's brother Viktor and her son-in-law Slavik were visiting. Roger (M) surprised us all by offering grace in Ukrainian. Afterwards the children sang and Roger talked to the family about their desire to have MMK and his church help this family.

After dinner we visited the Room of Hope and Trust in the school building and talked about the future of the program there based upon Christian teaching. Diane was very interested. We remember very well that early in MMK's mission she had considerable involvement in setting up English/Bible programs in schools and orphanages in Kiev. We look forward to her advice and guidance.

Once again we will be preparing for an adventure. On Friday we will be traveling with Luda (no translator) to spend the weekend in Chernigov. Certain uncertainty looms around us once again. Roger has tried to save some money by renting an inexpensive rental car for the month. This Russian made "Skuz ???" or whatever has no power steering, no power anything....in fact it just doesn't have much power at all. The battery has gone dead twice and so Tolik will replace it today and we will drive it around for a day to test it before we leave. Not to worry - we do have a good cell phone !

A weekend visit with our exchange student Oleg's family

2009-09-26T03:07:00.030-04:00

We have just returned from a weekend visit with the family of Oleg Yemchuk. You will remember Oleg as the exchange student who lived with us and attended school in Florida during the 2008-2009 school year.
His family lives in a town of about 9,000 in western Ukraine near the city of Rovno. We took the overnight train from Kiev, spent the day together there and returned on the overnight train to Kiev. Oleg traveled with us as he is now a student at the Economics University in Kiev.

THE "NOT SO COMFORTABLE" TRAIN BEDS

THE BEST PART OF A UKRAINE TRAIN TRIP - DELICIOUS TEA!

It was easy to see why Oleg is such a fine young man after spending time with his kind and gracious parents. His father did all within his power to make us feel special and welcome and his mother prepared enough food to feed us for a week!

It was a beautiful autumn day and we spent a lot of time walking within the town enjoying the interesting architecture, gardens and flowers as they pointed out their church, hospital (both parents are doctors) city center and Oleg's school. Although it was Sunday afternoon, we
met his favorite chemistry teacher and the school administrator as they were working at the school. Both had nothing but great praise for Oleg while relating that he was one of the brightest students to graduate there. Later, his English teacher who he credited with making his exchange student experience possible, joined us for a special dinner hosted by his parents.

WITH OLEG'S FATHER IN TOWN SQUARE PARK

OLEG'S CHURCH

ROGER AND OLEG WITH SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR

RIVER NEAR CENTER OF TOWN

FOLK FESTIVAL PARTICIPANTS

THE SHINING STAR OF THE WEEKEND WAS SASHA, OLEG'S ONE
YEAR OLD BROTHER, ALREADY LOOKING VERY MUCH LIKE HIS
OLDER BROTHER - WHAT A DELIGHT HE IS!

Update on our Ukraine "GRANDkids"

2009-09-25T02:36:00.055-04:00

It has been almost a year and a half since seven children left the orphanage at Krasny Hutor to become a family at the home in Rogoziv. During this visit we have seen the great progress Luda and Tolik have made in shaping and guiding them toward young adulthood in a short period of time. They work together, they play together, they pray together and they function pretty much like most families around the world. This is not to say that everything is perfect. It is important to remember that this is a mix of seven thirteen, fourteen and fifteen year old boys and girls who are growing and changing everyday. There are definitely seven distinct personalities that demand various levels of care and attention.

Oleg is the young boy who first captured our hearts. He will be fifteen in October and yet seems to us to be not more than nine or ten because he is small. Perhaps he will have a real growing streak this year. He likes to cook and says he would like to pursue a career in that field. He makes great pizzas!

Slavik celebrated his fourteenth birthday in May. He is sweet, kind and affectionate. He is a reader and is often found in a corner enjoying a book. This accounts for him also being a very good student. He understand the most English so we often use him to help with translation.

Sasha was fourteen August 1st. He is a serious student and excels in academics and sports at his school. He is quiet, reserved and patient. He also likes to cook and is a really a big help to Papa Tolik with outdoor chores. He would make an excellent engineer.

Fifteen year old Dima is clever and creative. He does nice artistic things such as making this birthday cake from scratch without a recipe. He can take six broken bicycles and create two working bicycles from a mix of parts and pieces. He wants to work with computers as a career.

Anatoily (Toily) will also be 15 in October. Music is where he excels. He loves to sing and play the guitar and he does it well! He is tall, thin and handsome and although he eats constantly it seems all of his nourishment goes to build longer bones.

Viki, age 14, is a beauty and every bit a girl. Clothes, shoes and pretty things are important to her. She is a real mama's girl and is up early every morning with Luda getting ready for school before the boys even begin to think about getting up.

Tanya, age 13, is our fun loving impish pixie! She is a peacemaker and a kind friend to everyone. She loves to laugh, play and just have fun. She is an animal lover and the one who takes care of and loves the family dog Bartsyk the most.

FAMILY FISHING TRIP AT THE DNEIPER RIVER

WITH LUDA'S DAUGHTER ALONA

CREATIVE BICYCLE REPAIR

FUN WITH PAPA TOLIK

September 24 Opening Day at the Room of Hope and Trust in Rogoziv

2009-09-23T02:57:00.022-04:00

OPENING DAY!

Luda with Oleg, Vika, Tanya and Alona making preparations for the opening day in the "Room of Hope and Trust" at their village elementary school. The room has been plastered and painted and new flooring, lights and furnishings are in place. Books, paper, crayons, pencils and craft supplies are being unpacked and added to the new shelving.

The Room of Hope and Trust at the Rogoziv school has finally been completed to the point where a program has begun. (earlier programs were conducted in the school cafeteria).

A young missionary couple from Kiev affiliated with Little Lambs Ministry conducted the opening day program. They have committed to come each Saturday for the entire school year to present a program for willing school children.

The program is presented as English lessons but has a strong Christian influence. We were all elated with the first day attendance on a sunny Saturday afternoon.

We had reported earlier that Luda's daughter Alona is working with school teachers to set up a formal after school program. She has a heart for children and has become a major player in developing the after school program for this newly finished room at the school.

She has met with school administrators to develop a daily after school program in the room that will supplement the regular school program. Her plan calls for daily 2 hour programs with two days of English lessons, 2 days of Christian training, perhaps a day of music and a sports program on Saturday. Alona will be conducting classes and is looking for possible assistants.

We are still awaiting the school to install metal security roll-away shutters on the windows before we install major items. We brought a digital video projector from Florida. We will also be trying to acquire a TV, microwave and refrigerator. Once the program grows to include daily after school sessions, snacks and fun activities will be important to keep the children's interest.

Gorodnya Orphanage

2009-09-23T01:28:00.011-04:00

GORODNYA ORPHANAGE

The photos above are from a visit to Gorodnya Orphanage on an earlier trip and Lifesong files.

We had originally planned to visit the Gorodnya orphanage, Sokorintsky orphan trade school and our Lifesong (Lifesongfororphans.org) partner church in Chernigov early in our visit. But due to necessary schedule changes we will be making that trip October 2-4 just a few days before our return to the US on October 7th.

During this trip, we will be meeting with Bogdan, the Lifesong director in Chernigov and our friends at his church there. We will visit Gorodnya orphanage and the new Room of Hope and Trust there. We hope to have many photos of the children benefiting from the Constant Christian Presence program there.

One of the main purposes of our visit will be to introduce two churches in America that have shown interest in partnering with Bogdan's church in their orphan mission at Gorodnya. Our friend Diane Clark at St Andrews by the Sea Church in San Clemente, CA has committed to an ongoing church partnership. We will be bringing introductory information about their church and congregation members.

We will also be carrying introductory materials from Faith Bible Church in Ft. Collins, CO where our friend Lynn Jacquart is working to stimulate interest within her church for a possible partnership. These church partnerships are part of Lifesong's Adopt an Orphanage program. We are excited about this program as it seeks to unite the Body of Christ across distances to
go to the aid of orphans in distress.

We also plan to revisit Sokorintsky graduate orphan trade school and dormitory where most of the Krasny Hutor children go after graduation. On our last visit there were more than 50 children from Kransy Hutor living and studying there. We expect that Luda will accompany us as Oleg's brother Peter is there along with many other children that look to her for hope and direction.

SEPTEMBER 22 "TANIA"

2009-09-22T04:19:00.014-04:00

Tania in the summer of 2008 enjoying a meal with us at the home in Rogoziv.

Tania is the oldest sibling of three that we found wandering the streets of Rogoziv last summer with her brothers Aloysha and Denis. Over the past winter,Tania and Aloysha were adopted by Luda's daughter and son-in-law, Ira and Slavik.

Denis is living with his grandparents and we are uncertain of his future, but Ira and Slavik feel comfortable that he is in a stable household at the present time. Should the opportunity arise, we feel certain that they would do all they can to keep these children together as a family.

Both Tania and Aloysha have embraced their new life, parents and extended family with great joy and appreciation. Tania is blossoming into a beautiful young lady as she has been given the chance to enjoy just being a girl. No longer must she fill the role of mother to her two younger brothers. It is delightful seeing her interact with Tanya and Vika at the family home where they laugh, giggle and play like pre-teen girls everywhere.

Tania enjoying Luda's 50th birthday celebration with new friends and family.

Tania helping the boys at the family home make a birthday cake for Luda.

SEPTEMBER 22 "ALOYSHA"

2009-09-19T04:05:00.013-04:00

Aloysha as we found him last summer wandering the streets of Rogoziv hungry, dirty and neglected.

Please go to the Archives in the right side bar to see our post from
June 2008 to get some background about the story of Aloysha and his siblings.

Ira and Slavik, Luda's daughter and son-in-law, have adopted Aloysha and his sister Tania, and already everyone can see that they have bonded as a loving family.

Aloysha today with Dima at the family home in Rogoziv

Aloysha will grow to realize how lucky he is to have a grandmother like Luda

A Touch of Autumn for our Florida Friends

2009-09-18T10:53:00.005-04:00

The air has turned crisp and bright and autumn has definitely come to Ukraine. Pumpkins are turning orange and the villagers are gathering corn and other crops before the first frost. The house here has two floors and the upstairs rooms look out over Ukraine's rich farmland. Despite the poverty and the day to day challenging lifestyle there is still a charm here that easily sinks into one's soul.

How Many Potatoes Does It Take To Feed a Family of Ten?

2009-09-18T07:54:00.010-04:00

Our five boys here have finally completed their task to bag this year's potato crop. Many bags of potatoes have been stored in the garage waiting the completion of the potato cold cellar that Tolik is constructing in the field behind the house. Hopefully it will be completed before the first hard freeze. Everyone here loves potatoes as it is the main staple in their diet. This explains why Tolik labors from morning to nightfall. Each day he has a different boy work as his assistant. They are learning correct measurements, mixing and applying cement and construction techniques. The boys tell us that their friends at school in the village tell them that none of the other children in the village work as hard as they do. Could this be why they all look so strong and healthy?

Luda's Birthday

2009-09-15T03:46:00.006-04:00

Luda, the remarkable, kind and loving mother of our family in Ukraine will be celebrating her 50th birthday this weekend. After much persuasion, Luda's three adult biological daughters have succeeded in getting her to agree to a party that will begin on Saturday with her family and continue on Sunday with her church family. We are fortunate that we have landed in Ukraine at a time that will allow us to share this special time of joy in her life. Regretfully . . .we will not understand a lot of what is being said but we will certainly experience the love so many have for this wonderful, caring woman who has given so much of herself caring for the orphans of Ukraine.

Certain uncertainty is always our motto here. While we had made specific plans for each weekend that we will be here, we have already had to abandon and rework these plans as things change daily. We only learned of the birthday celebration a few days after arriving so our plans to visit the Gorodnya orphanage and partner church in Chernigov this weekend will have to be postponed. We will be working to find another suitable date for this visit.

Alona, one of Luda's daughters has just arrived at the family home. She has stayed at the home for varying times helping Luda with the demanding chores of providing for 7 children between 12 and 14 years of age. Much like her sister Ira who has just adopted Tania and Aloysha she has a heart for children and has become a major player in developing the after school program for
our newly finished Room of Hope and Trust in the Rogoziv school.

Today Alona will be meeting with school administrators to develop a daily after school program in the room that will supplement the regular school program. Her plan calls for daily 2 hour programs with two days of English lessons, 2 days of Christian training, perhaps a day of music and a sports program on Saturday. Alona will be conducting classes and is talking with possible
assistants.

The reality of a dream is unfolding. God's Kingdom continues to grow around our family in Rogoziv.

September 14, 2009

2009-09-13T23:46:00.003-04:00

We have been in Ukraine 5 days now adjusting to cultural change, living in a house where no one speaks English, sharing each mealtime with an average of 15 people and pitching in as everyone moves from meal preparation and cleanup, laundry and household chores constantly. As one can imagine, mealtime is pretty wild and crazy - there is a continuum of prep and clean up for each meal that seems endless. It seems that, in addition to the family, there is always someone coming by to share a meal or spend the night. Luda and Tolik have HUGE hearts filled with God's love for His people and we witness this love being shared all around us.

It has been a year since our last visit and we are delighted to see the 7 children here one year further along in their personal development as well as members of this very special family.

They are doing well in school, they work hard at home and they are bonding as brothers and sisters. As in all families, each has unique skills and character traits that create an interesting mix. They are loving and affectionate - hugs and kisses are readily given - and this is coming from boys 13, 14, and 15 year old! Wow! It is easy to soak up!

We are in a rural village where the internet is slow and stubborn. As a result photos take forever to load so we will probably have to wait until we return to the US to share them.

Believe this....as we write this Papa Tolik has the whole family doing pushups and exercises outside in the courtyard.....soon they will come inside for breakfast, prayer and off to school . It's
not quite 8:oo AM

The Last Weekend Before School Starts

2009-08-31T20:27:00.009-04:00

Luda and Tolik took the family to visit friends and family just before they were to return to school for the fall term. The trip included a return to Krasny Hutor, the orphanage where the children used to live, to visit friends there. They also stopped to visit family members of Oleg, Slavik, Dima, Tanya and Vika who all live in that region. These locations are a four hour drive from the house in Rogoziv.

You may remember that Alla is the older sister of Tanya, Vika and Dima who graduated earlier from Krasny Hutor. Last year we worked to help them get started in a home in their home village of Ichnya. Although they struggle, Alla is one orphan graduate that defied the odds that often lead to tragedy in the life of orphan graduates. They are a beloved extension of this family.

Tanya, Vika and Dima with sister Alla, husband Vasha and niece Ruslana

Oleg with his Grandparents

Slavik with family

Old friends at Krasny Hutor

Tolik and the boys are building a food storage shelter for crops they will store over the winter. After planting about 2 acres of potatoes in the summer a large area is required for storage. This "hole in the ground" seems really big and we expect that Tolik plans to share the space with others in the village in exchange for some of their crops.

Our boys are growing taller and more handsome as time passes. Now we can be sure that they will also grow "stronger".....Your turn !!!!

Returning to Ukraine September 9, 2009

2009-08-30T18:06:00.012-04:00

We are planning to return to Ukraine on September 9th to visit with our family in Rogoziv. Their new school year begins September 1st so we will be making good use of the time we have to spend with them in the evening. Hopefully we will be able to help Luda and Tolik with household and family chores while the children are in school during our time there. A highlight of our trip will be a visit to the school room that our family has remodeled to begin after school and weekend programs for children in the village. We will be carrying a much needed video projector with us.

Tolik

Dima and Sasha

Many of you met Oleg Yemchuk, the exchange student from Ukraine who lived with us during the 2008-2009 school year. Oleg is entering the Economics University in Kiev as a freshman this fall. We hope to visit with his family and baby brother Sasha while there also.

Oleg Yemchuk

We will be traveling to Chernigov to visit with Bogdan and our partner church family and friends at Central Baptist Church in that city. They are working with LifeSong for Orphans at the Gorodnya orphanage. We are anxious to visit the newly remodeled room of hope and trust there and visit some of the children being ministered to by Bogdan and the Lifesong team.

Also included will be a return visit to Sokirinsky Trade School. More than 50 graduates from Krasny Hutor are there. Krasny Hutor is the orphanage where the seven children in our house had lived prior to 2008.
Oleg Makhovik's brother Peter is a student at this trade school.

Below left to right: Oleg, Oleg's brother Peter, Slavik, Tania.

And, of course, we will be looking forward to seeing Tania and Aloisha. These are two of the three children we found wandering the streets of Rogoziv last summer hungry, neglected and abused. Since that time they have been taken from their parents and Luda's daughter and son-in-law have adopted two of them. We thank God that they are now safe in the care of loving Christian parents. Their brother, Denis, is now in the care of a grandmother but hopefully may join this family when they are able to expand their home to provide adequate housing. We can't wait to hug the children again.

Aloisha

Aloisha, Slavik, Tania, Ira, Angelika

August 27 2009

2009-08-27T20:12:00.002-04:00

FINALLY – AN UPDATE
It was two years ago when we first met Oleg, Tolik and the other orphans at Krasny Hutor Orphanage.
We sensed that our lives were about to change but had little idea of how many lives would be impacted through the needs of these children. Retracing a series of remarkable events it is clear now that God was gathering servants to grow His kingdom through a handful of needy children.

One year ago, Oleg Makhovic and six other frightened, neglected and lonely children were rescued from the hopelessness of orphanage life and became part of a new Christian family in a rural village in the outskirts of Kiev. Oleg, Tolik, Sasha, Slavik, Dima, Vika and Tanya were embraced by their new parents Luda and Tolik in their new home. They have grown in faith and strength as a family and have become a shining light in their community.

The family home became an inviting center of love and hope as a stream of grad orphans, church members and friends joined with family members in helping the family become well grounded. Planting and harvesting in the family 2 acre garden hasn't been without the help of a small army of volunteers . Luda has had much needed help in household chores as seven energetic teens and preteens require nourishment at all levels as they go through a major life experience transition.

It was no surprise when hungry and needy neighborhood children were attracted to this source of love and nourishment. And it was a natural progression when the local school in this small village (population 6000) offered the family use of a vacant school room to be used for after school programs.

This room, “The Room of Hope and Trust” has been remodeled by the family and friends. Programs are being conducted to reach out to the needy, hungry and curious children of the community. Snacks, crafts, music and programs leading to a Christian influence are being introduced. Church members, friends and relatives have begun to perform regular skits and programs in the school cafeteria with awesome response.

During our last visit we reported on three hungry, neglected and abused neighborhood children that our family had been helping. Their situation was so desperate that Luda and Tolik (already parenting seven children) inquired to authorities about adopting the children. They were advised against this because the father had just been released from prison and an involvement in the neighborhood would be dangerous. Finally, the children’s home situation deteriorated and authorities stepped in. Tanya, the oldest, was sent to an orphanage. Denis was taken to live with a grandmother and precious Aloysha wound up in a hospital. These children so deeply touched the hearts of so many of us that is was inevitable that they would be rescued.

Luda's biological daughter Ira and her husband Slavic had just become parents of their first child in February 2009. In a heartbeat they now have three children. They have been granted custody of Tanya and Aloysha. Denis remains with the grandmother but total reunification of the three is a possibility. The children are already calling Slavic and Ira papa and mama. They send us photos and we are so looking forward to seeing them all together on our upcoming visit. We are including our favorite photo of Aloysha with his head bowed in prayer.

Who In The World ?

2008-11-27T13:14:00.026-05:00

The results of an extensive UNICEF project indicate that there are 143 million orphans in the world. Wrapping our minds around a number of that magnitude is truly challenging to our thinking. While failing to get a mental image of such a mass of humanity we become overwhelmed and instinctively back off of our effort to understand such enormity. We never get to the point of delving beyond the numbers to understand the composition and nature of such a massive population. As a people we become numb and do nothing.

It is truly overwhelming. What is so overwhelming?....... understanding the magnitude of such a prodigious number.....143,000,000, understanding the composition of such a massive population and understanding their distress. Yes, it is a daunting task just to understand, let alone to do something about it. Overwhelmed, we turn away from trying to understand.

What is it about large numbers ? The media and technology make them a part of our lives. Our computers come filled with mystifying numbers. At first there were kilobytes and then megabytes and gigabytes but when they start cramming them with terabytes, zettabytes and yottabytes will we know the difference or will we care? We know that faster and more are better and that's enough. Does the computer designer have to understand these numbers and their relationships to each others? Of course, he does.

The news media constantly spews a deluge of mind boggling numbers especially when reporting on pressing financial and economic matters. Our national debt is measured in trillions of dollars, major spending programs are measured in billions of dollars and simple aid packages may be measured in millions of dollars.

What does this mean to the average individual? The numbers are truly overwhelming. A family of four with a household income understands how to count change when they pay for a $140 grocery bill, but they have difficulty grasping the difference between a $700 billion government bailout package and a $70 million education program. Clearly they know that one number is certainly much larger but they can't visualize how many more groceries could be purchased with $700 billion than $70 million nor do they care. Does the economist or politician have to understand these numbers and their relationships to each others? Of course, he does.

In like manner most of are overwhelmed with that number....143,000,0000 orphans. We can easily visualize four children orphaned by a tragic automobile accident. We can picture 11 children who lost their parents to a tornado, or 183 to a flood or maybe even several thousand children orphaned by a horrific earthquake. Many of us have found it easy to understand these numbers and accordingly have reacted to the need. We have gone directly to their need. But the vast majority of Christians, church communities and caring individuals can't visualize that much larger number of victims.....it's just too overwhelming. Do they need to understand this number to begin to act? Of course they do.

So let's try to get a better grasp of that number.

143,000,000 children. How big is that population? Someone indicated that if they lined up shoulder to shoulder they would stretch around the perimeter of our nation 10 times. Also, it has been suggested that if they formed a line they would circle the globe more than twice. That's difficult to picture. Traversing oceans, mountains and such doesn't lend itself to helpful visualization. But let's not dismiss it so readily. With some added detailed imagery we may be able to picture it in our minds.

Let's start at the equator somewhere in Africa and begin to line up the children belly to butt. The line will grow slowly since it will be so compact. All of the children are so thin. There are no fat orphans. Moreover, many are emaciated and starving, affording very little profile as they line up. Actually some must be helped into the line. They are quite frail from undernourishment and disease and can barely stand. Of course, there are those who can't stand. Approaching death, they must be sandwiched into the line to keep from falling down.

As the line grows slowly a few children peer over the shoulder of the child in front of them wondering where the line is going. But it is only shallow curiosity glazing their eyes. Soon like the others, their empty eyes will fall to the ground and they will plod forward. There is no hope or expectation about where the line is going. Each step is a day in their lives. Yesterday, today and maybe tomorrow....each a step going nowhere. Just plod on until you fall down. Some fall down after only a few steps.

But even as some fall down, the line continues to grow. It is eerily homogeneous as it slowly sways, left, right, left, right. There is no music. Tears fall. There is no hope. There are no smiles, just a steadily growing mass of humanity....scared kids, empty faces, skinny frail bodies just plodding forward.

Soon the line extends into the distance well beyond eyesight. Now even beyond the vast expanse of the African continent, but even so the last child in line appears as the first except for his number. Yes, they are all the same except for their number. The orphans from Africa continue to take their place in the line. Each of the more than 50 million orphans in Africa has a unique number. As their numbers are called each child takes his place in line. Number 78, number 862, number 6,723, then number 187,674 and his younger sister 187,675. Now number 2,327,462 and as the line leaves Africa and begins to cross Saudi Arabia 8,765,723 takes his place in line.

Eventually orphan number 68,275,892 gets in line. Shortly afterward, orphan number one from Africa at the head of the line is startled to look up and see familiar territory. He is on African soil again. He has returned to where he began. He has plodded forward and gone nowhere. He is startled but not surprised. It is the same for all of them. The line has circled the globe yet there are still orphans from around the world waiting to extend the queue.

Now they begin to trudge alongside the initial line as they begin to encircle the globe again. Behind each other and now alongside of one another they shuffle slowly, going nowhere. Now orphan number 93,272,146 from China is added to the line followed soon after by number 109,768,243 from Toledo, Ohio (Yes the roughly 500,000 children in foster care programs in America must take their place in line.). They keep coming. Numbers 117,36,287 from Ukraine and 136,285,417 from Guatemala are added to the ever growing line. Finally, having circled the planet more than twice the line is complete and ends where it began in Africa.

If we were to fly above these children and observe this swaying mass of children in a low flying jet airliner it would take us two full days to do a flyby and follow the line around the world twice (that's flying at about 500 mph and not stopping for refueling). We would be traveling too fast and too high to see their faces. It would be just a fleeting blur of humanity. It wouldn't much matter though. Even though they may have different facial features and varying shades of skin color they would all appear the same to us......frightened, hungry and hopeless children with shallow eyes, empty faces and downcast heads.

They would be carrying nothing, owning little more than their names. Yes, they all have names (well, almost all do) but we know them only as numbers. Here's another example of number awareness. If we were to call out each child's number aloud in rapid succession it would take four and a half days to call all of them out by number. Give it try. Begin with child 1,319,452 and call out the next 20 children in succession. So, who would ever think about calling out to them?

And, yes, they will remain as just numbers in our minds. No, let's clarify that. They will remain as one number in our minds, one very large number – 143 million until we seriously attempt to understand the magnitude of this number. If we allow ourselves to wrap our minds around this number we will begin to realize that they are children, human beings waiting for us to come to them. We will see that child number 38, 276, 413 is Kamuzu, 47,322,184 is Manuel, 62,476,222 is Linda, 86,243,000 is Xiu Mei , 114,362,233 is Natasha, 132,345,333 is Umay and 143,000,001 is a newborn male, unwanted and yet to be named.

Americans account for about 20,000 international adoptions each year (plus another 50,000 domestically discounting kinship adoptions). It is insignificant to the total. If every child in the line encircling the globe took a deep breath (well, those capable anyway) the length of the line would remain unchanged when those adoptees left the line.

Try to comprehend the magnitude of this number of orphaned children and then ask your pastor or ranking elders in our church why more isn't being done. As you sit at the dinner table with your family ask yourselves why you are not doing more. There are many ways to tend to these children in their distress.

Perhaps, just understanding the number of children alone and suffering is not enough. Watch for upcoming posts here:

"Why In The World ?" How these children became orphans, a better understanding of their population.

"What In The World ?" The extent and nature of the many ways that these children suffer in distress.

A TASTE OF HEAVEN

2008-11-13T19:17:00.022-05:00

Most of us have had a little taste of Heaven from our mothers. The simplest act of love and kindness that a mother performs occurs when she comes to her hurting child and wipes away a tear. In Heaven, Jesus will wipe away our every tear. The pain, the fear, the loneliness and the tears will all vanish with His tender, loving touch.

"He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or
mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
Revelation 21:4

There are more than 143,000,000 orphans in the world. Every night they lie alone in fear, pain, hunger and hopelessness. Virtually all have tears in their hearts if not in their eyes. There is no one there to wipe away their tears. There is no Mommy there to tell them that everything will be all right. There is no Mommy or Daddy to comfort them when they wake up from a nightmare in fright. There is no one there to hold them when they are sick. There is no one there to whisper in their ear that Jesus loves them. There is no one there to offer them a little taste of Heaven.

"This is why I weep and my eyes overflow with tears. No one is near to comfort me, no one to restore my spirit."
Lamentations 1:16

Who will wipe away their tears ??? Who will go to them to offer that first taste of Heaven ? Will you?

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep one from being polluted by the world."

James 1:27

October 28 Update

2008-10-28T11:11:00.026-04:00

Family life continues in normal fashion for our family in Rogziv. The family is dealing with some health issues, particulary stomach and blood problems related to dietary considerations at the orphanage. All of the children have been examined and treatment and dietary changes are being followed.

It seems like there is a family birthday occurring continually. Here are some photos from Oleg (14) and Tolik's (14) recent parties. The large gatherings highlight the growing sphere of fellowship and love centered around this family. Regular attendees and visitors include family, friends, church members, graduate orphans and neighbors. The love of Christ emanating from this special family continues to touch many lives.

Happy Birthday Tolik and Oleg ! Also we can't resist in posting pictures of the three neighbor kids who are so needy and now visit the family regularly. Tanya, Aloysha and Denis we love you. (Note that Tanya, the surrogate mother who has given much of her share of food to her two younger brothers remains quite thin.....please pray for these children)

The picture below is very special to us. It portrays an involvement of all three areas of our work and concern together in one photo. This picture was taken in our new Room of Hope and Trust in the Rogoziv schoolhouse where our children attend. We have begun remodeling work and hope to have the room ready to offer a sanctuary of hope and trust for local children very soon.

On the ladder you will see Stopya on the left. He is a graduate orphan and a friend of the family. We have used him for remodeling work in the family home prior to asking him to help with the school room. There on the right is his "apprentice" Slavik who certainly has the right uniform. Papa Tolik, the head contractor is holding Aloysha who will likely be one of the first after school visitors to the room who will enjoy a snack, fellowship, tutoring and ultimately an opportunity to learn about the gifts and grace of God.

There it is in a simple nutshell. The young child, neglected and abused - most likely to wind up in an orphanage, the orphaned child who has had mere exisistence in an orphanage, and the older child who has been graduated into the world ill-equipped. They are all the GRAND Children of God. It is awe inspiring to see them grow together in faith as God continues to expand His Kingdom through this special family.

We are pleased to report that our initiative through LifeSong for Orphans in Chernigov is progressing rapidly. Cell Director Bogdan and his wife Lilya have recently returned from intensive LS training in Kharkiv. A late model Sprinter van has been purchased in Germany and will be in service soon to transport volunteers to Gorodnya and to carry orphans back to church related activities and worship as the program unfolds.

Bogdan and a team have begun visiting the orphanage at Gorodnya to spend time with children. Graduate orphans Peter and Misha are eager members of the team along with Lilya's brother and others from Central Baptist Church. As relationships grow with the children and the orphanage staff the next step will be to establish a room of Hope and Trust within Gorodnya.

You may want to view some pictures of a recent trip to the orphanage by the team at our Picasa Web album site. Also we have added some excerpts from Luda's album with newly added captions.

http://picasaweb.google.com/tidysnook/LifesongPhotosAtGorodnyaOrphanage#

http://picasaweb.google.com/tidysnook/SelectionsFromLudaSAlbumWithCaptions#

Videos Added

2008-10-10T15:42:00.000-04:00

We have added some raw unedited videos from recent trips.

http://picasaweb.google.com/tidysnook

2008-10-04T09:32:00.004-04:00

Here's the shortened version. Roger has returned from an 11 day visit to Ukraine. He spent quality time with the family participating in homework, a visit from hungry neighbor children and a visit to the children's school. Sasha and Oleg are playing soccer on the school team and for most part the children are serious about their studies. Devotion and prayer continue to be an integral part of daily activities and we are pleased to see the children continue to grow together in faith.

The local school has given the family keys to a vacant classroom. We will remodel it and establish our own room of Hope and Trust for school children there. Beginning with an after school session with snacks (esp for the hungry) crafts, music and gradually some bible exposure the program will also lead to structured programs on the weekends and ultimately formal Christian teaching.

Roger also spent time in Chernigov with good friend Tom Mack. Time was spent with Bogdan and church members there finalizing the plans to begin a LifeSong for Orphans cell there focused on a room of hope and trust in Gorodnya orphanage.

Together we visited Krasny Hutor on two separate days, reviewing progress on the Rotary project there and spending time with the kids. Extensive interviews with some of the older children added much to our information about their problems going into transition.

We also visited two separate trade schools and dormitories for grad orphans in Chernigov region. One was a large women's school in Chernigov and another Sokyrnyntsi near Pryluky. Sokyrntsti appears to be the main school of choice for Krasny Hutor grads as we met with some 50 children from Krasny Hutor studying there. We were quite surprised to find that living conditions and teaching facilities were better than our earlier impressions. The children's needs are being satisfied but once outside of the dormitories, sex, alcohol and drug abuse are prevalent. The children are without social support and poorly equipped to deal with the abrupt transition.

Here's a link to bulk unedited photos of the trip.

http://picasaweb.google.com/tidysnook

More Detail. If you have the time and would like more detail about our impressions and plans read the letter below that we sent to a few church groups and indiviuals who expressed an interest in supporting our work.

This is Roger writing. However, Beth and I have discussed everything that I have set forth in this letter. It represents where our hearts are at this time for the hope and purpose of children in Ukraine.

There is a strong underlying theme in our thinking and we believe that it is important for all of us to constantly remind ourselves of it. Simply stated, our time, energies, finances and prayers devoted to Ukraine are for the purpose of seeing God's Kingdom grow there. Through involvement with orphans in vision trips, camp programs, hosting and adoptions and personal accounts many of us have been touched by the plight of orphans there. We have seen that they have not had the opportunity to learn of the glory and love of God. In many cases our hearts were torn when we learned that they have been deprived of basic humanitarian needs.

Quite naturally, most of us reacted by believing that we must seek to nourish their bodies before they would accept nourishment for their souls. There is great wisdom in this reaction for it is all about love. Yet, knowing that we could not help them all, many of us became attached to specific children and personalities. In many cases, they were "cute" kids, seemingly like "Little Americans". They reached out with broad smiles and relentless hugs. They were very endearing and we responded to their hopelessness without knowing much about their background or physical and emotional disabilities.

Roger have just returned from a fifth trip to Ukraine since it all began on that vision trip in May of 2007. We have spent more than four months on the ground in Ukraine during that time period. We have visited orphanages, trade schools and dormitories, churches, public schools, family homes, graduate orphan transition facilities, adoptive families, needy families, summer camps, government offices and Ukrainian teams and ministries. In our country we have interacted with individuals and organizations involved in outreach, adoption, hosting and most recently student exchange programs for Ukrainian children.

Through this we have arrived at some startling conclusions. In many cases, the "cute" children that touched our hearts are suffering serious emotional disturbances and physical disabilities. Most are social orphans that have at least one parent living, likely in prison or leading a life of crime. They have often suffered unspeakable abuse and horror. Periods of poor nourishment and near starvation have left some with permanent developmental issues. They are dealing with serious physical and emotional issues that have festered without counseling or care as they have grown older.

Even in this country adoptions of Ukrainian children have not always been without problems. We see growing reports of children with developmental issues disrupting adoptive families who are surprised and ill-equipped to deal with painful disturbances. In some cases, violence and unexpected emotional episodes have led to the return of children to the adoptive agency.

And yes, we are dealing with unexpected physical and emotional issues within our own family in Rogoziv. Does it distract from and dilute our ability to nurture these children to grow in faith with Christ? Yes it does.

What can we learn from this? We are outreach missionaries with Christ-driven motivation. Perhaps we should be mindful of our limitations to deal with emotional and physical issues that prevail in the orphan community in Ukraine. As we seek to find direction for "the purpose of seeing God's Kingdom grow there" we must now focus on programs that will identify children with profiles that show preparedness to learning of the grace and love of God. There are harsh realities in this that are instinctively objectionable. Such focus by nature is highly selective. We must gain the strength to bypass some children that have issues beyond our ability to help and concentrate on reaching out to those who will benefit most from learning about Christ.

With these conclusions at heart we have begun to formulate our plans for further outreach to orphans in Ukraine. Any programs will include the following important ingredients.

1. The program should be available to a broad audience of children without presumption of selectivity. It should provide a continuous outreach to allow time to learn about the children and afford them the time needed to trust us and communicate.

2. The program should be geared to provide a constant Christian presence for the children over a sustained period of time.

3. Qualified Ukrainian nationals should administer and manage the program with our strategic support.

4. Any program should have strong ongoing involvement by a church community within Ukraine. Sustained partnership relationships with concerned American church communities would be critical to success.

These conclusions only serve to strengthen our relationship with our partners at Lifesong for Orphans. They have clearly demonstrated that a sustained program within an orphanage in conjunction with a local church can have a decided impact on helping orphans gain purpose and promise in their lives. Through a program of non-threatening and gradual, constant Christian presence they have created an environment where the most responsive children can step forward and accept guidance as they grow in faith.

They have been able to mobilize concerned Ukrainian Christians who understand and have been trained to deal with the underlying emotional and physiological issues that hamper these children. Their program model is well conceived and advised by successful businessmen. It is very effective and efficient.

Our future orphan care initiatives in Ukraine will revolve around our partnership with LifeSong. There will be three main areas of focus in which we will be asking for support.

1. Development of a new Lifesong cell in Chernigov.

2. Sustenance and support of our family home in Rogoziv.

3. Development of a Christian children's outreach program in Rogoziv.

LifeSong in Chernigov LifeSong has committed to establishing a cell in Chernigov. Our friend Bogdan Mazur will be the program director. His home church, Central Baptist Church of Chernigov will be the the church partner. The program will center around establishing a Constant Christian Presence program in Gorodnya Orphanage (45 minute drive from Chernigov) where the church orphan ministry has already established a highly limited outreach program.

There would be a three or four month trial period before Bogdan would become a full time staff employee. A rough first year budget of $52000 has been proposed. $25000 would be earmarked for the first important asset, a large passenger van. $10000 is budgeted for establishment of a room of hope within the orphanage and other needed orphanage projects. The remaining $17000 would be targeted for salary, travel and operating expenses. Beth and I have personally committed to funding the cost of the van and have taken on the responsibility of sponsorship of this new Lifesong cell. Ideally Lifesong seeks relationships with American church communities able to commit to sponsorship of a portion of the monthly operating expenses and some of the initial capital expenses. A few motivated churches and businesses would be sought to cover the additional first year expense of about $2400 a month.

Second year budgeting will typically provide for establishment of a full time staff to maintain the room of hope and trust on a daily basis as well as initial expenditures to acquire land for construction of a transition home and initial funding for some sort of skills training center. The program would grow around development at Gorodnya. It will likely be well beyond the first year before any consideration could be given to expanding the program to Krasny Hutor. Bear in mind that this is a slow, sustained program geared to identify the children most likely to be responsive to Christian training and guidance through the room of hope and trust and nearby church involvement. The two boys that this church currently provides housing for were identified through several years of camps and church visitation to Gorodnya and Udaitsi.

Family Home in Rogoziv Without too much surprise we are learning that the cost to maintain the family home exceeds our earlier projections. Of course rapid inflation has been a culprit. A surprise has been the expense for medical care. The children are no longer orphans. They are part of a typical Ukrainian family (of course, we are thankful for this) and are not afforded all of the social benefits afforded to orphans. There are special medical needs of the some of the children and associated expenses that we did not foresee, mostly diagnostic testing at this point. Gasoline costs are much more than we guessed and we hadn't really made provision for some personal money for Luda and Tolik.

Without much history yet it appears that it will cost about $2500 a month to run the household. Documentation for government support has finally been completed and we should receive that support soon. We still do not know whether it will be $100 per month per child or $200 (due to moving children into a different region). There has been some monetary support from Luda's church (particularly for summer camp expenses) as well as help from friends and family. Tolik will do part time work when available but remain primarily as a full time Dad and head farmer in the seasonal months. There have been donations of clothing and household items from many caring Ukrainians. In any event there will be a sizable shortfall for a while.

Christian Children's Center We have been delighted to learn that the public school in Rogoziv where our kids and all kids in the community attend has generously offered the full time use of a classroom. Yes, we will have the keys ! From the beginning we have felt that God chose Rogoziv for the location of the family home for His pleasure. We believe that he intends to enjoy seeing His kingdom grow in this small and simple community. There is one Orthodox church here largely populated by Babushkas. There is a very small newly formed Pentecostal Church which has embraced our family warmly. Other than a few reports of neighbors gathering in homes for worship there is no other organized church presence in this community of 6000 or 7000. Our family currently travels into Kiev for Sunday worship.

We know that there are many in this community who have not learned of the grace and gifts of God. There is already evidence that our children will be His servants in spreading His word. The room in the school will be a room of hope and trust for the children in the community. Luda and Tolik plan to maintain someone in the room every day after school for three hours. An older graduate orphan from Orphanage 21 in Kiev has been staying at the family home during the week to help Luda with housekeeping and cooking. (We will be paying her a salary). The plan is that she will man the room on most weekdays. Luda, Tolik, Daryna and family will pitch in to run programs on the weekend. Also one of the teachers at the school is from the new Pentecostal Church and she has offered to help.

We will renovate the room to make it clean, cheerful, warm and inviting. A fridge and microwave for snacks is planned (initially we hope to attract some of the hungry children). Tables and chairs including comfortable lounge chairs, a TV and DVD, maybe a used piano and plenty of craft supplies would be part of the initial inventory. It would grow from a sanctuary for love, food, fun and caring to a structured program involving Bible, music and English study. Weekends could grow from fun programs into devotion and ultimately formal Christian teaching. The mayor and the school support this program. They caution that it should not be strictly a formal religious program, it should be available to all and also be used at times for other groups.

We have been concerned about the neighborhood children who visit our home either hungry or looking to play with our kids. This room will help to not only identify responsive and needy children but to assess who Luda should be comfortable to invite to the home.

We are very excited about this room. Several adults and children sitting around a table regularly talking about Jesus and what do you have ?.......a Church ! Remember that Tolik has served as a minister for a satellite church of their church in Kiev. And yes, he continues to have our children on their knees in evening devotion.

The room is a typical large sized classroom. We will paint it, add auxiliary heat, install bright fluorescent lighting, provide floor covering and equip it as described above. Including the furnishings listed above we are making a very preliminary first year budget of $5000 for capital expenses and perhaps $2000 for food, operating supplies and craft and teaching supplies. Staffing should initially be fully volunteer. We would be grateful if a church, business or individual would step forward to sponsor any portion of he capital expense to establish this room. There are photos of the room on the Google Web Album link. http://picasaweb.google.com/tidysnook.

Finally, we have struggled to find a way to structure a program to help Krasny Hutor graduates. From what we have learned it is very difficult to identify those who would most benefit without some sort of sustained program over time. Although heartfelt, it now seems impractical to expect that any grad offered an apartment without pre-qualification and a support program would have much chance to benefit. This is a difficult determination for all of us who so much love these kids. Our hope is that in time Lifesong in Chernigov will be able to extend outreach there which will be some sort of regular Christian presence although not on a daily basis. Perhaps then a few children could benefit from a transition program to be developed in Chernigov. Beyond that, we have gained some comfort in learning that the trade school dorms where they will live are not necessarily the hell holes that we earlier believed.

Our initiative in the home at Rogoziv and the proposed school room of hope and trust will be conducted within our partnership with LifeSong for Orphans. All donations should be sent to Lifesong with reference to them as our parent organization. Remember that all donations sent to LifeSong go 100% to orphan outreach as Gary Ringger's family trust pays all administrative U.S. expenses.

For the joy and purpose of orphans,

Roger and Beth

August 25 2008

2008-08-25T13:13:00.037-04:00

There is much to report since our last update. The children grow closer together every day and seem to show deeper appreciation for the strength and joy of family unity. They spent several weeks this summer at a Christian summer camp at the Black Sea and returned with a strong sense of cohesiveness and pride, also with a few new sun-bleached hairdos.

There was quite a bit of activity upon their return home. Vika had an appendicitis attack and was taken to the hospital for surgery. The entire family was at her side and she recovered readily. We had two birthdays this summer. Alex turned 13 and Tanya is now 12. The parties were both major celebrations with family friends and neighbors attending. Although we were able to celebrate for a while on the phone with them we were really saddened to miss being there with them.

Luda's daughter Alonia has been staying at the home to help out until the children return to school on September 1. The children really love her. Once school begins, the family will have a new full time helper. We haven't met her yet. Her name is Lilya. She is 25 years old, a graduate of Orphanage 21 in Kiev - a friend of Luda's family for a long time.

We earlier related the sad situation with some of the needy and neglected children in the neighborhood. We have been delighted to hear that the our children have taken a keen interest in helping these children. As they come together as a family they are beginning to realize how truly blessed they are. Soon after they were released from the orphanage they struggled with seeking sympathy and individual attention for themselves. It warms our hearts to now see this sympathy slowly being replaced by compassion and empathy for others. His kingdom begins to grow in this small village.

During our last visit we learned that Dima, Vika and Tanya had an older sister, Alla who was living near the rural village of Ichnya about two hours north of our home. Alla, 22 is a graduate of Krasny Hutor who has managed to not become one of the alarming statistics that we all fear. She is married and has a two year old daughter Ruslana. She struggles with her small family in the village in which all of these children grew up. At that time, we visited with Alla, Ruslana and her husband. This is an extended part of our family. When we saw how desperately they were living we were able to identify a suitable home nearby and began a process to purchase the property. It stunned us to see that we could provide a home for a needy family for less than $5000 !

The home like many in rural Ukraine is without indoor plumbing and uses a simple woodburning heat plant. But there is plenty of land for crops and outbuildings for raising animals. Alla hopes to soon have a cow, a few pigs, some chickens and some other animals. Recently the purchase of the home was approved. Recently, Luda and Tolik took the three children to visit their sister and other family members living in the community. Dima will stay there to spend time with his sister and help her make the move to the new home before he returns to school in September.

There have been many visitors to the home over the summer months. Family members, friends from church communities, former orphans and others anxious to share fellowship, help and inspiration for this new Christian family have been having a noticeable, positive impact on these kids. One recent visitor, who we spoke with on the phone recently is Andre, a former orphan and friend of Luda's who was adopted by an American families years ago. He currently lives in key West where he serves in the U.S. Coast Guard.

Roger will be returning to Ukraine for about two weeks in September. After spending some time with the family he intends to return to Chernigov where he will again meet with Bogdan and our friends at Central Baptist Church there. We have kept in touch with them via Skype and are making progess in discussing how we may help them expand their orphan ministry through an expanded transition program for graduate orphans. Of course, one intended benefit is to plan for the welfare of children who will age out at Krasny Hutor and then head out to live in the reportedly scary dormitories while they attend trade school in Chernigov.

He will spend time with our friend Tom Mack who will be also visiting in Chernigov to oversee progress on the joint Rotary project to provide improvements at Krasny Hutor. We were pleased to hear that work has begun. Ground was broken recently to install the new septic system. Roger will also accompany Tom as he explores need and potential for a future Rotary project in Chernigov. We hope to focus on the need for a graduate orphan transition program. Roger also plans to visit Udaitsiy orphanage nearby where he hopes to spend time with Oleg's older brother, Peter.

We have also continued to have serious discussions with our partners at LifeSong for Orphans about a possible extension of their program in Chernigov. Roger recently travelled to Indianapolis to meet with a Lifesong team planning for the expansion of their program at Matvievka orphanage in Zaporizhzhya.

There still is, as always, that certain uncertainty in Ukraine. But, one thing is clearly certain. The seven children in the new Muzika family continue to grow in faith as they prepare to become Godly contributors in this uncertain world.

July 21

2008-07-21T21:42:00.002-04:00

We have just completed our fourth trip to Ukraine. The jet lag fuzzies have passed and as we digest our latest 5 week trip we are pondering the direction of our future work. We are calling upon a wealth of impressions and experiences from our current trip to reexamine our mission and vision statements. Some of these impressions are profound and fresh, others are reinforcements of what many of us have centered our support and prayers around in the past.

Our hearts are full, torn and anxious with these thoughts:

1. The influence of the presence of Christ within caring and motivated Ukrainians is huge. Their work is the most important ingredient in fulfilling God's plan in their homeland. That same influence within the children that they minister to is monumental.

2. Ukrainians are proud and capable but welcome international assistance. Concerned Ukrainians seem most interested in programs that offer sustained support in ongoing programs. Many international aid programs are project oriented and lack the stimulating effectiveness of long run programs designed to empower nationals to deal with their problems through their churches and communities.

3. Typical project oriented programs feed humanitarian needs. Ukrainians wish that Americans would ask more of what is needed or wanted. They often see Americans offer gifts, service, goods and advice that the Americans feel are needed. A good example is clothing. We see an overabundance of donated clothing almost everywhere we visit. Plenty of cute shirts, jackets, etc. properly adorned with American graphics and language. Yet we often see a need for underwear and socks. Americans often give that which is "fun" to give. Of course, there are many humanitarian needs here that are being effectively filled by Americans and others, but we offer these examples to help us understand how we can be more helpful on a conceptual level.

4. The orphanage population in Ukraine is dominated by the 80% of the children who have at least one parent. Only 20 % are true orphans. That vast majority has been neglected and abused to the point that they were abandoned or ran away to live on the streets. Their parents are often victims of alcoholism, drug abuse and crime. The countless children still living in squalor, pain and hopelessness in these families are at the core of the orphan problem. Their plight has been largely unattended. Have they been forgotten?

5. The church community in Ukraine is the very springboard needed to deal with these problems at the core level. Church groups are sensitive to these problems but often ill-prepared to engage in new orphan ministry initiatives. Meaningful partnerships can be formed to initiate programs at the community level.

6. Clearly, programs based on a Christian presence that is constant and sustained throughout the developmental cycle of these children is preferred. Moreover, early involvement is crucial, even reaching within the impoverished families that often ultimately fuel the orphanage populations.

7. Ukrainians welcome outreach and aid. Since financial assistance is so much needed they are often modest in displaying their attitudes about how it is presented. But when pressed they will often respond "please help us to help ourselves." They look to us to help establish meaningful programs, stimulate leadership and bring together fragmented pockets of care and compassion within churches and communities. Above all they would ask us to partner with them consistently as they grow their capabilities.

In analyzing these impressions we have restated our mission and vision statements which continue to evolve as we learn more of the needs of these children and the nature of the Ukrainian Christian community as they deal with these problems daily. You may view this restatement on the front page of our website.

Many have asked us about our future direction and how they may help. As always, we pray for direction and guidance. This is where we feel we are led to act.

1. We have been blessed to be part of a grand plan to expose seven desperate children to the love and grace of God. Our primary focus will be on serving the needs of this family of seven children in their new home in Rogoziv. There are developmental issues to be addressed as seven children between the ages of 11 and 14 learn to live together in a Christian family setting so unlike the survival environment of the orphanage. There are financial needs in running the family that exceed our earlier estimates. Soon we will be outlining and suggesting opportunities for aid to those of you who have asked how you can help.

2. Once again we stand in awe as we see His plan unfold. It is becoming clear that He chose this small rural village for this family to settle in to expand His kingdom here. In an earlier post we highlighted three hungry children who came to the gazebo tent in our back yard. We fed them and later offered them some badly needed shoes and clothes. They live in a home nearby where as victims of a family devastated by alcoholism they only know hunger, neglect and abuse.

Tanya is 9. She is the surrogate mother. Looking at her frail and bony body you can only wonder that she gives much of her share of the food to her two younger brothers. Denis is 7. His face show emptiness and distance. Alyosha at 4 is still young enough to not understand his plight. His smiles belie his ignorance of his surroundings. The others will suffer pain, but this one must never feel forgotten.

We visited the wretched house that they (exist) live in. The mother is not there. We are told she is seldom there. The reports of her lifestyle are frightening. A few photos of our visit are attached.

This family is not alone in this small rural village. The mayor has indicated that there are four other families in the village suffering the same plight. Seventeen children in all are being neglected, abused and forgotten. These are families typical of a broad infection in Ukraine. Parents, victims of alcoholism and drug abuse who have found it acceptable to neglect and abuse their children are at the core of the problem. These children in most cases will find it so difficult that they will run away or turn directly to crime at tender ages. Many parents will outright abandon their children. Others will wind up in prison. Many will take their own lives.

These children are the typical candidates to ultimately live in an orphanage. Frankly, after visiting their abject home it is easy to argue that they might be better off in a place like Krasny Hutor. (We won't allow that to occur.) Our winds of time have changed considerably in just over a year. At that time we were moved to bring these seven children from the wretched conditions at Krasny Hutor. Now they live just down the street from children who likely live with deeper misery.

Our family will feed these children and others nearby who are also hungry. Already, Luda and Tolik are inquiring about the other neglected children in the village. We know that they will find nourishment for their souls as well as their bodies through this new Christian family. How cleverly the Lord works. Our children will soon trade in sympathy for compassion.

Tolik talks of a room of hope and trust in our spacious basement. A large table will be needed. Perhaps, a few more children's Bibles.

3. Beyond Rogoziv there is a tugging within our hearts to contribute to orphan outreach in Chernigov. Situated two hours equidistant from Kiev and Krasny Hutor, Chernigov is the administrative center (capital) of the oblast in which Krasny Hutor is located. It is the city that many Krasny Hutor orphans (others as well) graduate to to attend trade school. It is the city where many of them become the dreaded statistics that we fight against. Something keeps drawing our attention to this community.

Central Baptist Church here portrays the grass roots movement that must spread throughout Ukraine as concerned Christians endeavor to deal with the orphan problems within their communities. Finding strength within the pastor's family they have initiated an orphan ministry. They make weekly visits to nearby Gorodnya Orphanage and visit other orphanages in the region. They participate in Christian camp programs. They rent an apartment for two orphans who have graduated from nearby orphanages (these children are now actively involved in their church and ministry)

Bogdan is young, but a bright and capable emerging leader. His wife Lilya is the pastor's daughter. Together, they are the core of this ministry. We sat in round table discussion for several hours with Bogdan and his team. He speaks enough English to express their need. It's simple. "Please help us grow our orphan ministry" The message is that they want partners that will help them step by step and day by day to build a program. They have had well intended visitors who have helped with a camp or visited an orphanage. Some brought toys and clothing. Some brought Bibles. All went home and then probably did something else. "Please help us grow our orphan ministry"

We introduced Bogdan to Denis of Lifesong for Orphans. It is premature, but it is our prayer and our dream that some sort of constant Christian presence program will grow out of this church. Still looking for synergy to come into play we hope to see a relationship grow between the highly motivated Chernigov Rotary club and this church. Our friend Tom Mack will be visiting Chernigov in September as part of a Rotary team coordinating the improvement plan at Krasny Hutor. He is looking forward to meeting with Bogdan and church members to explore options for partnership.

4. A highlight of our current trip was our visit to Kharkiv and Zaporizshia where we experienced first hand the workings of Lifesong's Constant Christian Presence model. As reported earlier we were impressed with how effectively Ukrainian church communities were working together with paid Ukrainian staff members with clearly positive results in orphans growing in faith and promise. The program is ripe for duplication and expansion in other regions.

Roger will be visiting with Lifesong staff in Indianapolis in August to discuss our possible involvement in their program. This program is well established with a proven track record. It coincides directly with our stated mission. It needs fund raising to grow. We have no fund raising experience. We don't even like the thought. But then, a year ago we weren't orphan advocates.

So, our first priority is the welfare and maintenance of our family in Rogoziv. At the same time we will focus on the growth of Christian influence in that community centered around the need of neglected children there. As fund raising becomes part of our work it well be directed toward that end.

As we expand our orphan advocacy efforts we will seek out sponsors and partners in church communities where we have friends to discuss future involvement in Chernigov and Lifesong programs.

July 11 2008

2008-07-11T04:48:00.015-04:00

After revisiting Chernihiv for the second time we have been relaxing a bit. It is our last week before we return to Florida on July 14. Aside from a few short visits to Kiev we have spent most of our time here at the home. We have seen the strawberries come and go. The sweet peas are also finished and the zuchinni nears it's height of harvest. We have watched the corn grow high and sprout ears and tassles (we will miss the first sweet ears). We picked the first ripe apricots this morning and have watched the apples begin to redden.

We have become welcome visitors at the small local corner store where we often visit for a few groceries and an ice cream treat. Mashutka transportation is no longer a fearful adventure as we have been able to sort out the schedules and head to Borispil or even Kiev on our own. We are comfortable going just about anywhere without an interperter as long as we don't have ambitious expectations. There are likely nasty parasites living somewhere in our kitchen and fridge but somehow we ducked them while sampling a wide variety of Ukrainian delights including the mystery foods that our neighbor Maria offers on occasion. It took some time, but we finally learned how to have a mellow mind when everyone around uswas constantly speaking a language so unlike our own.

It has been peaceful and quiet while the children are away at camp but it saddens us to know that we will leave before they return. There have been several visitors including Luda's brother Viktor who arrived from the Black Sea where he had worked for two weeks as the camp cook at the same camp where our 7 children are staying. He brought reports of how they are doing, but with the language difference, we learned little (we have lost our translator - Daryna is away at camp). He was accompanied by Maxim a young boy 10 years of age that you met when we visited here at Christmastime. Max had also been at camp and was now on his way to live in the family home established by Little Lambs in Rovno. Max's father is gone and his mother lives a troubled life. As a result, Luda and other family members, feel Max needs the security this home will offer him until his family issues can be corrected. Tolik, Viktor and Max all enjoyed camping out overnite in the new gazebo tent.

Also a neighboring couple with a 10 month old baby, named Maria, stopped by to visit. We had a delightful time photographing and playing with Maria. The dad, Sasha, stayed a short while and then left for work. Anya, the mother, stayed on to share a meal while the baby napped.

One day we took the autobus from Rogoziv into Borispil to go to the bank, pick up a few snacks and just get some relief from more than a month of rural life. As the days pass, we are feeling more and more displaced from our culture and all that is familiar. Finding a snack that we recognize helps create a little of home for us.

We have begun to sort out our thoughts on possible future outreach work here. We have explored a possible future initiative with Lifesong in Zaporizhshia. Also, we have made new friends in Chernihiv at the Central Baptist church and are examining partnership possibilities there. We have also learned much about the humanitarian and spiritual need within our village of Rogoziv and have been discussing the role of the family in expanding God's kingdom here. There is much to be digested and many questions to be answered. We will soon return home for some welcome relaxation and then begin to give serious consideration to these possibilities.

Meanwhile, it is clear that our primary concern will be the stabilization, welfare and growth of our family here in Rogoziv. There are still major issues with the documentation required to obtain some financial support from the government for each of the children. The absence of this funding and costs that are rapidly rising due to inflation here have given us concern. There are frequent hungry visitors and neighbors in need. As well, there are still projects within the home that require attention.

We praise the Lord that these seven children no longer live in the orphanage without love, hope and promise. We continue to ask guidance as we struggle to make the right choices to assure that they will grow in faith and go out into their church, community and country as Godly contributors.

July 6 2008

2008-07-05T08:11:00.006-04:00

We have been spending time with Denis, the Ukrainian director of LifesongforOrphans. We have been on the move and have not had internet capability.

There will be much to add later but at this point hopefully this synopsis will add some satisfaction for those awaiting reports. The first leg of the tour was a 6 hour drive to Kharkiv. Here we we viewed the heart of the Constant Christian Presence model in action. We stayed over at the transition home in Loubetin where 18 grad orphans live and grow in faith.

We toured Loubetin Orphanage where we visited the room of hope and trust (in this case, actually a wing of nicely remodeled rooms) and the Lifesong sponsored skill training centers including the ag center and bakery. We visited with two Lifesong staff members on duty and finished with a vist to the new computer room. Most of the children were away at summer camp.

We visited the local church that was very actively partnering with Lifesong and acquired a bit of flavor of Kharkiv, the second largest city in Ukraine. We briefly met the Lifesong team as they prepared to head out on a canoe trip (7 LS owned foldable canoes) with grad orphans, a fairly regular event in season.

The next stop on the tour was Zaporizhzhya where a new cell for Lifesong is being developed initiating with work at Matvievka Orphanage. We toured the orphanage, viewed the initial room of hope and trust and met with the Director. While in Zap we stayed at the home of Nikolay and Anna. Nikola is pastor of a local church and new director of the Zap cell.

We also made the two hour trip to Berdansk on the Azov Sea where we visited a campground being ministered to by Lifesong staff. Most of the 300 children from Matvivka were there along with 120 from other orphanages. LS has the opportunity to run the program that ministers to all of these children.

The Ukranian landscape is absolutely beautiful. We covered miles and miles of lush, uninterrupted fields of wheat, corn and sunflowers. Viewing all of God's handiwork, we have to remind ourselves of the pockets of poverty that lay in the small towns and villages tucked behind the majestic birch and pine trees.

We returned to Kiev on an overnite train quite drained and in need of refueling but soon left for Chernigov again to meet with Bogdan there to discuss possible partnering in that region.

June 29 2008

2008-06-29T23:31:00.009-04:00

Remembering that this friendly city had captured our hearts we were quite excited about our return to Chernigov. We had spent several days there during our September 2007 visit. A clean city of some 300,000 residents it affords a casual setting far removed from the busy streets, stiletto heels and glitz of Kiev.

Through Little Lambs camp programs Luda had developed relationships with friends in a Baptist Church in Chernigov. This church has an active orphan ministry that has a youthful flair eager to expand its outreach. We were invited to worship with the congregation and meet afterwards with the orphan ministry group. We were quite enthused as we have been striving to learn how the Ukrainian people are becoming focused and involved in the orphan situation in their homeland.

It is always difficult to sit through a lengthy service without an interpreter. But this traditional service with piano accompanied choir afforded the right atmosphere for silent meditation and prayer. Roger was asked to give testimony about our work with orphans. He later remarked that he was pleased to see compassion and even a hint of mistiness in the eyes of some of the congregation.

After the services we met together with the mostly youthful members (mid-20's)involved in the orphan ministry in the Chernigov Oblast (province or state). Of course, Krasny Hutor is in this oblast and many of the orphans who age out there come to Chernigov to attend trade school along with orphans from other orphanages in the region. The Central Baptist Church has been involved in summer camp programs in several of these orphanages and currently is involved in independent outreach at nearby Gorodnya orphanage.

At first hearing this Beth and I glanced at each other and smiled. We had visited Gorodnya on our earlier September visit. We had strong ties there through our friends the Lawsons who adopted there and Galya from Hopeful Hearts as well as our prior involvment as coordinators for Life2Orphans. Should we be surprised? Well, normally yes, but having seen that God seems to be contiually bringing His servants together to fulfill His plan to help these children we were not.

Bogdan and his wife Lilya (her father is pastor of the church) had begun to reach out to the children in Gorodnya. They are making weekly visits to the orphanage where they have been ministering to about 20 children interested in learning more about the Bible and Jesus Christ. They are anxious to explore ways to expand their work.

The most pleasant surprise was in meeting two of the team members meeting with us, Misha and Pietr. Both were grad orphans. Misha had lived in Udaytsi Orphanage and Pietr graduated from Gorodnya. They were working in Chernigov and being supported by the church as they grew in faith while making transition into the community. They were living in a rented apartment the cost of which was split by Little Lambs Ministry and this Baptist Church. They were actively involved in the church and it's orphan ministry.

Wow. Right from the getgo our vision was to try to find a way to help grad orphans in this oblast. We were motivated by reports of the Krasny Hutor graduates struggling in the trade school environment in Chernigov. We were amazed to hear that the apartment rental to house these young men was $100 a month. A similar apartment in Kiev would cost more than $400 a month. To purchase a typical apartment here would cost about $25000 while exceeding $80000 in Kiev.

We spent several hours around the table discussing orphan care options. Once again we continue to ask concerned Ukrainians what they believe our role should be. There is a growing sense that American skills in organization and planning are very helpful. As much as financial assistance, some sort of sustained support is equally valued. We hear and see that often foreign organizations take on a single project and move on or show enthusiasm and disappear from the scene.

Further, we hear growing consensus that often nationals here are not comfortable with the notion that some of the most promising talent among their youth are taken through adoption, hosting and student programs and lose interest in returning to their homeland when they might have great impact in addressing problems. In like manner, learning English is not always thought of as an important indgredient in dealing with internal problems here.

The evangelistic enthusiasim of Americans is seen as a plus by many here. The total committment of young Americans in outreach programs like summer camp and work projects are viewed as very positive. Young Americans are "cool" and and exciting and quickly earn the ear of young orphans and can thus have better impact. Furthermore, Americans of all ages visiting here on outreach, mission and vision programs take enthusiasm and interest back to their churches and communities to grow support.

But the dilemna emerges when considering the cost involved in these benefits. Travel costs and currency issues (the grivna now floats against the dollar which has lost 10% of it's value recently) are increasing concerns. When asked how they view the trade off, Ukrainians shrug their shoulders and grow quiet. As we learn more about the abilities and motivation of Ukrainians to deal with orphan care, outreach and foster and family care within their country we press hard with these questions.

We all know of the high costs in Kiev, Kharkiv and other large cities. But we are only now learning of the wide disparity in the cost of providing relief in other areas, especially rural communities. Rogoziv is not a good example as it is actually a rapdily growing suburb of Kiev where prices are being driven up as residents look for cost relief away from downtown.

But we have visited rural villages where we are astonished to see the low cost of housing, food and basic needs. A home in a rural village can be acquired for less than $5000. This is a typical home with a well and no indoor plumbing. It would also include ample farmland to supply many of the food needs both animal and crops. Noting the apartment costs in a mid sized city like Chernigov, one has to seriously ask the question that keeps arising.

If an American can raise $2500 to attend a mission or outreach program for two weeks how else could that money be put to good use here? We continue to weigh these issues. We also hope to explore more about the cost of orphan care here as we learn more about the talents, abilities and motivations of Ukrainians to mobilize support in their churches and communities through volunteers and financial help.

A small testimony. Please note that as we left the Baptist church, having heard the testimony of Luda as well as Roger, a member of the congregation anonymously slipped a few large denomination grivna notes into Luda's hand, accompanied by a prayerful smile and hug. There is as much love, compassion and willingness to help here as there is in American churches and organizations. Perhaps more, as they struggle to find ways to help their own.

June 28 2008

2008-06-28T22:50:00.004-04:00

Friday was one of those days in which time seems to melt away without evidence of fruit. Much of the time was spent with Tolik at Novo Linia (Ukrainian Home Depot) buying products necessary to finish the needed projects in the home.....cold cellar before the crops come in, coat room and finish work in the basement.

Saturday was a delight that was highlighted by yet another visit. Daryna has been quite the ambassador in our friendly community. While at the lake she met three young children who she quickly learned were neglected by their family. They were quite rag tag and as she learned from neighbors who had fed them they were often hungry. Of course she invited them to our home.

Feeding hungry children is one of the greatest joys of serving God. This is not the first time that the Gazebo has served as table to neighborhood children and likely it will have new visitors in the future. These three children were polite and quiet. Most would think that they were shy, but it's that empty numbness in their presence that we see so often in the orphanages. The reality is that these children exhibit the profile of kids on the brink of hopelessness.....the typical neglected child who is a candidate for abandonment and life in an orphanage. God has planted our family in Rogoziv for a reason. These kids and others will always be welcome here.

We sent them home with new shoes, underwear and food.

Tomorrow we will visit Chernigov. We will worship in a church there that Luda advises may be interested in working with orphans. There are new developments afoot. We hope to report good news soon.

Testing Photo Album

2008-06-28T14:17:00.002-04:00

This is an experiment. It would be helpful if someone could post a comment about how the photos load. Is it too slow? If it works well we will try to add captions. Thank you.

June 26 2008

2008-06-27T23:40:00.003-04:00

Our anticipation today would focus on the arrival of special guests who will be visiting our home. In preface, a short history of Little Lambs Ministry will be helpful. http://www.littlelambs.com/index.htm

Little Lambs was founded in 1993 by Renate Kurz as a summer camp ministry to provide the orphans of Ukraine the opportunity to accept Christ. The program has grown and throughout the years thousands of orphans have been ministered to in winter Bible lessons in the orphanages and Christian summer camps. Beyond this the program evolved to include a graduate orphan transition home in Rovno to provide the opportunity to orphan graduates to become self-sufficient, contributing members of society by growing in faith in a family home setting.

Built in 2000, the home has helped some 65 children move out into society prepared in faith and worldliness to be Godly contributors. The marvelous house mother, Olya, ministers to 24 children presently living in the 10 bedroom home.

Our housemother Luda has worked with Little Lambs since early in its existence in coordinating the summer camp programs through the Little Lambs office in Ukraine. Today she has invited Olya and three young women who have grown in Christ in this family home to visit with us in our home.

Olya is a diminutive woman crippled with rheumatoid arthritis. As she speaks it becomes clear how such an unlikely personage could have transformed so many lives. Immediately one senses that she is augmentative and imposing in character and presence. Once again as we sit at this simple family table we will hear testimony that will enlighten and inspire us.

As we listen to Olya we try to search within the eyes of the three young women accompanying her. A university graduate, Luba is a school teacher who was recently married. Julia is currently studying economics at the university. They are both graduates of Krasny Hutor. They were brought to the family home by Luda a number of years ago. A quick glance at Luda's proud face speaks loudly of a motherly love.

The third young woman is Sasha. She is also like a daughter to Luda, and of course Olya. A university graduate as well, she has returned to Ukraine for a short respite from her work. Sasha has been working for the last two years in Uganda, ministering to orphans who are HIV positive. She grew in faith in the home in Rovno. She is a grad orphan statistic. A statistic that must grow and will grow in the hands of God.

There is so much that we have learned from the Ukrainian people. Frequently, as we report their testimony, our eyes grow misty. At this moment, for this reporter, the tears flow freely.

There is so much more to learn from these proud people. But first we must learn to set aside our American expectations. Through these testimonies we are hoping to learn how we can be mentored by them and not to them.

During the remainder of our visit here we hope to learn how the Ukrainian Christian community perceives American Christians who have heartfelt motivation to help here. We often believe that it is important that they learn English. We are just as often motivated to connect with individual orphans, especially those who are "cute". Many of us would like to make them "Little Americans". Some of us feel that bringing a child to America for adoption or hosting, although costly, is the best way to make a difference.

Although most Christians are largely motivated to help in bringing the Gospel to the children of Ukraine, often there is a priority to focus on humanitarian needs. This focus often extends beyond basic needs. Many Americans love to give gifts. It makes everyone feel good. Our young people love to volunteer to work in camp programs here and eagerly work hard to raise the $2500 to $3000 needed to visit here for a few weeks.

How do Ukrainians feel about these expectations? We don't often ask.

It is a crass overstatement that Ukrainians only want our "money". It is also an overgeneralization that they would placate us to this end. But alas, there is likely some truth in both. We will continue to ask searching questions about these expectations and as our visit unfolds we hope to report our impressions. Our prayers will shift from asking for outright guidance and direction to seeking understanding and learning. Ukrainian Christians understand their problems of alcoholism, a challenged educational system, government corruption, child abandonment, abuse and neglect. Through their churches and organizations they have mobilized growing armies of volunteers and caregivers. They are making a difference every day.

As Americans who are Christ driven to help, we have motivation and the ability to raise money but often don't have a clue to our proper role. We have opened our hearts. We feel there is much to learn if we open our minds.

June 25 2008

2008-06-27T03:51:00.003-04:00

Two gruelling days on the road. Today we miss the rooster's bold entreaty.

Deep within the cracks in her hands she harbors harbors the dirt from the soil, encrusted there over many years. Her leathery face surrounds the gleam of gold teeth and her squinting eyes suggest deep secrets. Her babushka, flowered cotton dress and slightly hunched posture depict the very soul of the Ukrainian countryside. She is in most respects a farm machine.

A typical Ukrainian rural widow, Maria toils in her field from that first rooster crow to well into the night. She cares for her pigs and chickens and rabbits much as she has for her seventy years of struggle.

We share more than a well with Maria. Her pigs eat of the garbage from our kitchen. Oleg's ducks eat of her grain. She has new potatoes. We do not. Her rabbits enjoy the weeds and grasses as Tolik clears more land. She enjoys the sweet treats that we offer and comes to sit as we eat on occasion. Tolik tends to her needs when she will allow it.

This morning as we awake in a relaxing mode, Beth prepares omelets for the two of us (typically we arise first). Maria is always pleased to bring eggs. They are brown with dirty shells. They are fresh and oh so organic. Deep, deep yellow with flavor like......"wow, these are good !" Roger sings to her the few lines he remembers of "Maria" from West Side Story. She sits with her hands folded on her lap. The smile. The eyes. There is so much we don't know.

We continue to do remarkably well with our countryside diet. Roger has even ventured to use fresh cow's milk in his daily quota of remaining American coffee. The only casualty of sorts is a nasty case of athlete's foot that Roger developed. They don't know that as such. "You have mushroom". The local pharmacy has the remedy. It works.

Today we do chores and make readiness for special guests tomorrow.

Photos From our June 2008 Trip

2008-06-27T03:48:00.001-04:00

Finally we have been able to upload some photos of our trip

Check it out at our website:

http://www.thegrandchildrenofgod.org/June08tripphotos.html

June 24 2008

2008-06-26T05:23:00.005-04:00

This day, once again beginning with the crow of the rooster, would be crucial in brushing aside some of the shrouds of that certain uncertainty. Where would pain and opportunity cross for us on this trip? There are so many to help. Today, we would be afforded some direction. Our visit today would be to a small village near Ichnya, north of Rogoziv, perhaps half the distance to Krasny Hutor. It’s a painful trip….very painful. It’s a rural area and the road is an antiInterstate.

We have a traveling companion today. Here name is Luba. She is an aunt to the graduate orphan that we will visit today. Her name is Alla and she is a graduate of Krasny Hutor. Thanks to the mercy of God she is not one of those tragic statistics. Emerging into her early twenties, she is the mother of a young girl about two years old, Ruslana. Her husband, Vahsa is a truck driver in the small rural village where they reside. They live in abject poverty. It would tear your heart apart to see it.

Until today we have thought of Alla, not as a struggling graduate orphan of Krasny Hutor, but as the antagonistic older sister of Dima, Vika and Tanya. The sister who objected to their inclusion in the family home. The sister who adamantly expressed determination to take custody of the children. Today we saw her as a young mother with a driving passion to reunite her siblings in a family setting. As an orphan who was party to abandonment and family separation she wished for one thing. That is, she embraced the anthem that our new family had subscribed to……семья вместе….family together.

Clearly, this small family of three living on the brink of mere survival would be overwhelmed with the addition of three more family members. But, it is impossible to ignore the passion and motivation to bring a family together. How can this be accomplished?

We began to feel some sort of direction. Is it part of our mission to help graduate orphans? Is it also that our mission reflects a desire to empower the Ukrainian people to work together as family, community and Church in becoming Godly contributors in their homeland. Of course it is.

We spent time together with the family. We shared a meal that aunt Luba helped to prepare in the outbuilding kitchen, over a wood burning fire. As we glanced down at the toddler (sadly, her face is badly scared from a burn as an infant) we noticed that somewhere halfway between her innocent smile and tender heart there dangled a cross. It very much resembled the one which Luba openly wore around her neck. Talk at the table turned to the Bible and Church. We are not sure that Alla is a believer but there was a willingness to expose the children to church. Or so it seemed.

We were sitting in the presence of a graduate orphan who was struggling to ground her family, seeking to unite her broader family and displaying an openness to allow a Christian presence in her family. She was not asking for help…..just the reunion of her family.

We left with some lingering shame of our past mindset on the motive to disrupt “our” family. Previously both the Aunt and Alla had threatened to take any action to prevent the three children from being part of our family. We talked about it continuously on the long drive home. It would seem that we had come once again to that point in our lives where pain and opportunity cross. It was unexpected, but not surprising. This is so characteristic of how He works in the Ukraine. Once again there was that certain uncertainty, but now there was direction.

There was one more stop on the way home. We had been told that Slavik’s younger brother was in an orphanage in Pryluky. It took a while to find the orphanage. While Luda consulted with the director we played with the little ones outside and made a short visit to the nursery. Luda learned that Slavik’s brother had lived in the orphanage but he had been taken by a family. They would not release information about his whereabouts.

June 23 2008

2008-06-26T05:16:00.003-04:00

On these, the longest days of the year, the sun rises very early in Ukraine. At 5:00 AM the roosters are finishing their chore as the sun smiles from well above the horizon. The prayer before departure always centers around the availability of the director upon our visits. As reported in many earlier logs, he is quite evasive. Today it is important to see him as important documents are needed.

Once again, Luda struggles with bureaucracy. The last seven months were needed to acquire the proper documentation to arrange for the release of the children. Now the red tape continues in order to authorize the government subsidy for the children. The directors role in this is just one bottleneck.

Any account of the four to five hour trip to KH from Rogziv would be the same as in the past. As we arrived at the orphanage the Director was just leaving. Luckily, or so it seemed, our cars met on the roadway. He stopped and when accosted agreed to turn back. He did so, but soon disappeared again before Luda could visit with him. Luckily, later on, the assistant director was able to provide the needed documents.

Typically there is little to interrupt the dreariness of the uninviting approach to the orphanage but today something is strikingly different. Like a gold coin on flypaper, the director’s new house seems so out of place. It was palatial in contrast to anything nearby that we had seen or could imagine. We drove by slowly and speechless, trying to imagine the source of the financing…..but then the children were all around us. Maybe we had it reversed. These were the jewels. That which had shocked us was the ugly bug.

There were plenty of new faces, especially new young faces. These were faces young enough to be unknowing but ready to be hugged and loved. There is sort of a gradient of despair and hopelessness that can be sensed in the children’s faces. The newer, younger arrivals display an innocence and playfulness universal amongst their peers throughout the world. Those a bit older begin to show a look of despair but still openly invite and eagerly solicit love and affection. You can still see hope in their eyes. Those around preteen years show the greatest disparity. The smiles are still there but lack depth of emotion. The sparkle in their eyes begins to fade. Some have come to reflect only despair and hopelessness, showing little enthusiasm to react to our friendly gestures.

Many of the older children approaching graduation are totally removed. Their looks are sullen and often can be seen as glares. It is difficult to sort out the appearance of anger, resentment and full blown hopelessness. Our minds are racing while we are hugging and playing with the children. Should we be trying to impact the young and innocent or motivate toward saving those at the brink of hopelessness. All of these children have been left behind. We must find ways to insure that none are forgotten.

We have plenty of videos and photos that we hope to edit and present when we have good internet capability and, of course, the time. But time is precious today. After spending time playing with the children and leaving gifts we are on the road again. We plan to visit Slavik’s hometown on the way home, but first a stop at Novgorod Sveresky to get more documents signed.

As we enter the village we try to imagine what Slavik’s life was like here before he was taken to Krasny Hutor . There are animals on the dirt streets, the sound of children playing are punctuated by the vroom of a new motor scooter (there are many contrasts in this country, especially in rural areas). By far, bicycles are predominant. Sometimes it is a woman in a clean, crisply colorful dress. Then there is the babushka with sheaves of wheat tied to the back. Or often it is the shoeless children with muddied faces and then the disheveled older man that pedals such a wobbly track.

Slavik grew up here on these streets living alone with his Mother before she went to prison. He likely played on the neglected playground equipment nearby here where his grandfather also lived. We surprised the grandfather. At first he refused to talk with us. Finally he emerged from the front door to talk. He didn’t invite us inside. This was understandable as he is totally blind.

It is so difficult to understand the culture and the spirituality of many of the people here. We learned that Slavik’s grandfather had cut out his own eyes at satan’s demand following the death of his wife. Satan has gained great strength here, constantly nourished by vodka and the like.

What was it like growing up here? Slavik’s Father left him with his Mother and found a new wife. His grandfather who lived nearby was an enigmatic presence among adults, how could he have been viewed by a child. When his Mother went to prison, Slavic was taken to Krasny Hutor.

The grandfather became angry and walked away from us. He loved Slavik and wanted to provide a home for him. Confusion and frustration continue to taunt us. Strong family ties and a sense of togetherness are often evident, but yet a tendency to abandon children is at the heart of the orphan tragedy in Ukraine. Seemingly, families are driven to abandon children but amidst remorse and heartfelt pain among other family members there is often great passion for reunion.

We would be led to learn and understand more of this passion on the day to follow.

June 22 2008

2008-06-26T05:11:00.002-04:00

The Lord’s Day. After almost two weeks in Rogoziv we were anxious to spend time with friends in Kiev and revisit friendly surroundings. After a drive and metro ride into town we parted from Tolik and Luda who attended their church service while we headed to visit with Roger and Diane McMurrin. We shared warm fellowship in their apartment before church services. The McMurrin’s are at the source of our work in Ukraine. Returning to their apartment and the MMK office is always refreshing and inspiring. It has now often served as a sort of oasis to restore ourselves. It was relaxing, as well, to just sit and chat in English as Roger and Diane updated us on their work and activities. We had been living amidst the constant cacophony of ten enthusiastic Ukrainian voices (plus, of course, neighbors and visitors). It seems that there is some sort of law or ordinance in Ukraine. When this many people are together, at least four must talk at the same time. This family likes to keep things legal.

We left the McMurrins for a while before attending church. It was a treat to wander about alone. Much unlike our last trip in January, the splendor of summer in Ukraine was most inviting. We strolled along the main streets enjoying the street festivities of a relaxing city. The highlight was our stop at our favorite Ukrainian cafeteria, a must stop to reminisce about earlier visits with friends and the children. Everything seemed so unchanged and familiar. Well, that is, except for
the prices of just about everything (the metro token at ten cents, or maybe eleven cents with the weak dollar is still a bargain. Our lunch cost $10. Although still a bargain, it would have cost about $7 on our last visit.

Diane had reported that opera tickets were now $40 or $50, a shocking increase from the $10 asked for on our last visit. We visited Zum department store where we purchased a watch as a gift on our last visit. It sat on the same shelf as before. January - $70. This day - $110. The economy grows rapidly but is outpaced by inflation. What does it mean? Another Ukrainian uncertainty.

A return visit to St Paul’s Church to worship with the widows, grad orphans and our friends in the orchestra and choir is always a highlight of returning to Ukraine. The services are temporarily being held in the smaller orchestra rehearsal hall. It was SRO three deep in the rear of the church. It was a very special service as the congregation embraced 35 new members as they professed their faith. The Evangelistic Explosion among the widows and widowers continues to expand dramatically as the Faith grows within the cradle of St Paul’s and Music Mission Kiev. As always, we enjoy the welcoming warmth and love of our friends in the congregation.

The day passes quickly, but we are able to spend some time with our friend Katya, a grad orphan in the MMK “Grace Gang” as she escorts us to the metro from the unfamiliar new church location. We talk about a return visit to Kiev, but without commitment as we look ahead to our ambitious schedule.

Back in Rogoziv, we share our activities of the day and attempt to put our excitement aside in order to get a good night’s rest. Tomorrow morning at 5:00 AM we depart for Krasny Hutor.

June 21 2008

2008-06-26T05:05:00.001-04:00

There was elbow room at the table for breakfast…the first reminder. Tolik said grace…..the second reminder (the children had been taking turns at each meal). As we gazed across the table at each other it was apparent that there were things that didn’t have to be translated. We missed the children.

There was little respite. There was much to plan and much to do. In the absence of many conveniences and amenities, the routine maintenance of a family of seven children is continuous and demanding. It was catch-up time; we all pitched in. By midday the home was clean, neat and orderly. Nonetheless, it smacked of emptiness more so than orderly array.

Daryna was taken to task as translator as we finished the day with searching discussions regarding the many problems and issues to be addressed and plans for the busy agenda ahead. Finally, the emptiness found relief as the call came in from the director of the summer camp. A longtime friend of Luda, the director of the Christian camp offered comfort. The children were settling into the camp routine. Of course, there were typical issues of first day adjustment, but the kids were OK.

As we retired I enjoyed the broad smile on Beth’s face. My heart was warm. Our last thought as we dozed off was one of joy. The director had reported “Alex is homesick !”

June 20 2008

2008-06-26T04:44:00.002-04:00

June 20 2008

Our days have been consumed with activities with the children, but all that changed abruptly in the bittersweet moment that swept them off in the van to the train station. Well, perhaps it was more than a moment. Lining up and loading up 7 children and their gear was just one more mini-challenge. A final series of hugging all around followed by the family prayer and they were gone. We were left alone, just Beth and Roger and the silence.

Sending children off to summer camp is never easy. A mini-adventure was upon us. We would have been delighted to jump on the van and accompany the children to the train station in Kiev but we were scheduled to meet with Gary Ringger and Denis from Lifesong for Orphans. The adventure was in getting to the airport from Rogoziv. Typically this would be less than a half hour drive but we would have to take two separate marshutkas (mini buses), switching at Borspil. We drew the lucky straw and arrived at the Borspil airport within two hours.

Gary and Denis drove to the airport from Kharkiv to pick up their vision team arriving a bit later. We met together prior to the flight arrival to meet Denis for the first time and talk of our partnering opportunities. The meeting went well. It was decided that we would visit Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia during the first week of July to view firsthand the work in which Lifesong is engaged. Returning from Kiev after sending the kids off at the train station, Luda and Tolik joined our meeting for a while. There wasn’t enough time for Luda and Denis to share all of their many experiences derived from a mutual passion to help the orphans of Ukraine. The stage was set for future collaboration.

As we drove back to the home we enjoyed the sweetness of the moment. No one sitting on your lap or tugging at your sleeve…..no more than one person talking at the same time….actual periods of silence. The bitterness of the moment would present itself in the morning….there would only be the sound of the rooster crowing.

June 19 2008

2008-06-19T04:37:00.002-04:00

Certain uncertainty revisited. It was an early dawn departure. The twelve of us crammed into the van straddling fishing gear, heaps of picnic grub and gear, frisbees and the like. Excitement ruled.

Was it noisy ????? Right.

It wasn't a very long drive but it was slow, painfully slow. Tolik had in mind a remote, picturesque site along the Dnieper river (actually it might have been the fishing possibilites that lured him) and truly it was. But access was through a military reservation. It was several miles to the river from the guard station. These were roads made for or by Army tanks, and perhaps artillery practice. Wow, what a ride. It was worth the grief. We were alone with nature in a setting reminiscient of the backwaters in the coastal low country of Georgia and the Carolinas.

We couldn't wait to extract ourselves from the pressing cargo to begin exploring. Then, in an instant it ended. Crack ! The door was slammed on Roger's hand. Was it broken? Well, it sure looked that way. Everybody back in. The laughter quickly dissolved into sighs and murmurs.

Then after assurance that Roger was OK, but just in pain, the silence of racing minds began to prevail. This writer stuggled with borderline terror trying to imagine bone-setting procedures in rural Ukraine. Mama Luda worried about Roger's heart. Beth prayed. The children were numb.

The guard at the military reservation gate quickly summoned a doctor....uh.....er maybe he was a newly recruited medic with a small green metal box with a big red cross on top. Nonetheless, we quickly accepted his smile and seeming capability. He quickly assured us that there was no fracture but an x-ray was advised. We were directed to the local hospital....uh....er medical clinic. They didn't have an x-ray machine. Well, actually they weren't open yet. It was only 8:30.

We headed back to Rogoziv where we were seen by a friendly and capable town doctor who wrote a scrip for an x-ray. So off to Boripil hospital. We have no photos, so please try to imagine one of those hospital scenes in a war movie with patients sitting and waiting eveywhere, staff scurrying about, walls begging paint and maybe one light bulb in most rooms. Subtract the blood and you have a grasp of where we were for 3 hours.

The results were direct. No fracture.....advanced arthritis in the thumb and wrist. Oh yeah, since Roger wasn't a native, there was a bill presented......20 grivna....a bit more than $4.00.

This is the report of our fishing, picnic adventure on the beautiful Dnieper.

June 17 2008

2008-06-17T12:15:00.005-04:00

We have received word from Peter. He is feeling better but the physicians have confirmed that he is suffering from Mononucleosis. He will require rest without physical activity for 4 to 6 weeks. This is a contagious disease but we were comforted to hear that it is usually not found among young children. The children do not present any of the typical symptoms. We pray for Peter's recovery and that the children will remain healthy.

Today was a big day for Roger. He now has authority to drive the family van.....it took three hours, 200 grivnas and visits to three notary offices. Wow, that was quick. We are finally getting the hang of Ukrainian bureaucracy. While in Borispil conducting this business we visited the bazaar and bought fishing gear for each of the boys. All are excited about a fishing trip on the Dnieper River planned for Wednesday. It'll be a family day out fishing and picnicking.

The trip to Krasny Hutor and various villages has been postponed until Monday. The children are disappointed but it would be a bit of a stretch trying to do it this week considering that they will be off on the train to summer camp on Friday. They won't return until July 7.

Yesterday was family fun with a backyard picnic. A caring church family had donated a screened picnic tent (gazebo style) that is large enough for the entire family. Tolik has a large inflatable mattress which has been serving as the focal point for fun while swimming at the lake. It is quite durable and served well in the back yard as Tolik ran the boys through some fancy tumbling routines. The children have a new friend, Vladik, who is a bit younger but a constant visitor. He even remained for Tolik's Bilble study last night. He wears a cross abound his neck. He smiles a lot, especially at the dinner table.

We just returned from a jaunt down a nearby country road to enjoy the beautiful countryside that surrounds us here. Roger, Beth, Alex, Oleg and Dima went for a short hike in the forest - it was absolutely beautiful! Magnificent trees. It was Alex's turn to work the "in the floor" stick shift on the van. (we were on a deserted country road - not a car in sight) Try to imagine just how many times these kids have even been in a car - it is still quite a unique and fascinating adventure for them.

June 16 2008

2008-06-16T07:19:00.007-04:00

June 16 2008

These are very special times for all of us living together in the family home. All of us means as many as 15. Yes, the seven GRAND children, Luda and Tolik, Beth and Roger, Daryna (whom will accompany us for much of our trip), Olga (Luda’s friend), Vasiliy (from Luda’s church) and Daryna’s mother (stayed over on a one night visit).

Olga had been in Luda’s Sunday school class for 10 years and is now studying accounting in the university in Kiev. Her heart is with Christ and a powerful love for the children. She has been staying over every weekend to help Luda with household work and fellowship with the children. We came to love her immediately. Vasiliy is a caring young man from Luda’s church who stayed over one night to help with the children. He took over Tolik’s nightly Bible class that evening.

Time here is spent together. The motto adopted by the family is “семья вместе”
which means “Family Together” The family prays together, eats together, works together and plays together.

Part of each day is spent working together. There are chores to do in the field where more than an acre is being planted with potatoes, cabbage, beets, squash, beans, strawberries, corn, peas, carrots and more. All is being tilled by hand and more rows are being added. The chores inside are mostly related to laundry and food preparation for this small army. There are two small washing machines but as there is no dryer, the clothes are dried in the fresh outdoor air.

The weather has been splendid. Although it was in the low 80’s midday, the skies were clear and the air was fresh and dry. This awesome weather the first few days begged outside chores and we complied. The boys worked with Tolik in the fields with continued clearing and tilling and carrying water where needed. The girls gathered freshly ripened strawberries (yummer, totally organic). Roger’s first stint with a hoe in the fields yielded a few nasty blisters in spite of the gloves. Beth became proficient with the new electric lawnmower and soon had the boys taking turns operating it safely. Beth loves gardening and quickly had the boys learning how to prune the prolific rose bushes and the many fruit trees in the yard.

Kitchen duty is almost continuous as it seems that someone is usually peeling potatoes or slicing cabbage (Ukrainian staples) or cleaning up. Tanya and Vika were often busy helping Daryna in the kitchen. The children are responsible for their own space and generally keep it neat. On Saturday we all ganged up and did a top to bottom housecleaning.

The children usually take turns saying grace at meals and Tolik conducts an hourly Bible lesson before bedtime. Playtime, the few days we have been here, is highlighted by a daily trip to the lake in town to swim ( a short walk away). Several of the boys also enjoy kicking the soccer ball around in the yard, and of course Oleg is always dribbling his basketball whenever he can. The girls enjoyed reading and Beth has been helping them with a scrapbook.

We were surprised early one morning when a few of the boys headed down the road with hoes on their shoulders. It seems that there are a few summer classes at the school and one has something to do with training in farming. This is an agricultural community and such basic training is an important part of the curriculum.

Friday was a travel day. We learned that the family 7 passenger VW van carries at least 12 people as we headed to nearby Borispil (20 minutes) for shopping, haircuts for three of the kids and still more document processing for Luda (it appears that this will never end). Wisely, shopping included the acquisition of a hair trimming kit….just one more skill for Tolik.

Saturday was a cleaning and swimming day as described above. Sunday was truly a day of rest for us as the family headed off to church in Luda and Tolik’s home church in Kiev. We opted to stay at the home and enjoy a relaxing respite from the nonstop enthusiasm and excitement of the children. Moreover, the three hour church service is a bit of a struggle without translation. Yet, we were enlightened by the children that evening as Tolik preempted the nightly Bible study to ask the children to give us their impression of the sermon that day. Clearly, they had been listening.

Roger napped a bit while Beth baked brownies and bread pudding. Later we took a leisurely walk around town to explore our surroundings. The family returned late in the day, having stopped to visit some graduate orphan friends of Luda who have been established in a nice apartment and currently have jobs and are attending a university.

We continue to hear from Peter but still have not received word of a diagnosis of his illness. There is encouraging news from Tom Mack about the Rotary Project at Krasny Hutor. First phase monies have been released and sent to the Chernigov Rotary Club. It is expected that work on the septic system will begin this summer.

Finally, we expect to travel to Krasny Hutor with the entire family on Wednesday. It will be painful visiting with the children that were “left behind” as we deliver some letters and gifts sent by friends. It will be a short visit to hug and love, do some business with the director and then set out to finish a long day itinerary. Stops are planned in cities where relatives of some of the children reside.

Looking ahead, our children will be leaving for a Christian summer camp on Friday June 20th somewhere near the Black Sea. That same day we expect to meet with Gary Ringger and staff from LifeSong for Orphans in Borispil.

June 12 2008

2008-06-12T04:15:00.002-04:00

June 12 2008

Our trip to Kiev was unremarkable and we arrived at about scheduled time. Everything after we passed through customs was remarkable. It was no challenge to quickly pick out Tolik, Daryna and the five boys in the waiting crowd. There were many happy faces there, but none reflected the ear-to-ear joyous smiles of our gang.

Once the shrieking and hugging tapered off we headed for our first ride in the new family van.
It‘s a short ride to Rogoziv from the airport, but we first made a short stop in Borispil to shop for
groceries and supplies and our encountered first disappointment - money exchange. On our previous trips the grivna had been pegged to the US dollar, but it now floats independently. Our sadly sagging US dollar now only purchases 4.6 grivnas whereas in the past it was about 5 grivnas. And yes, clearly, prices are higher than earlier as Ukraine struggles with advancing inflation.

Soon we were speeding down the road toward the home in rural Rogoviz. For a moment our
thoughts turned to the plush Ukrainian countryside as we passed through farmland alive with
the beauty and freshness defining the locale for the family home. But only for moment as our thoughts jumped ahead to Luda and the two girls who were anxiously awaiting our arrival.

As we turned off the main road the familiar “ROGOZIV” sign welcomed our arrival. Even though we had only visited a handful of times, Beth and I glanced at one another and our eyes spoke as one….”feels like we are coming home”.

Surely the children made us feel that way. There were balloons and large handcrafted welcome signs as the girls ran up to us and then there was Luda. Love was everywhere and He surely smiled down on this family with pleasure. It sure felt like home. The smell of soup simmering in the kitchen, dozens of shoes, sandals and sneakers lined up neatly in the entrance way, our guest room carefully bedecked with comfortable amenities…..yeah, it felt like coming home ! This wasn’t just a house. It is a home.

First order of business was a tour as each of the children proudly showed us their private space and bedroom. Tanya and Vika beamed as they bounced on their opposing beds in their bright and highly colorful room. Alex and Dima shared a room with a divider that added special privacy in the space in their room. Tolya and Slavik had a great room together that looked out over the backyard and field, with the morning sun starting their day. Oleg, was the odd man out, so to speak, but wound up with the largest room with the balcony.

It was dinner time and we all thankfully shared food together. This was a time to grasp a sense of the reality. We had spent time with the children here in the home over Christmas break, but they soon afterwards returned to the orphanage. This was the first time that we all shared a meal and fellowship together since Luda and Tolik officially took custody of the children. They wouldn’t be heading back to the orphanage - they were home. Actually they would be heading straight to an evening Bible study and devotion in the living room. I choke up to write this. Yes, for the next hour they would be talking about Jesus with Tolik and for sure that would include prayers of thankfulness. We unpacked and crashed.

Peter continues to undergo testing as the doctors attempt to diagnose the nature of his illness.
Our internet service has been spotty and painstakingly slow (too slow to upload phots right now, but they will follow in time)

June 09 2008

2008-06-09T12:55:00.002-04:00

We are preparing to leave for the airport. There has been a recent noteworthy development. Peter has returned to The States and is now at home in Philadelphia, having arrived June 08. Peter has been suffering recurring unpleasant symptoms ever since his bout with illness while at Krasny Hutor this winter. Recently he developed a fever and fatigue. After discussing his condition with Peter and his family we all felt that it made sense for him to return home for medical attention. We quickly arranged for his return. He is most likely being seen by his family physician today.

We pray for Peter's speedy recovery and proper restoration. He has been challenged both physically and emotionally during his work in Ukraine. Those of you who have visited Krasny Hutor can only begin to imagine what it was like for Peter as he remained at Krasny Hutor over the winter months. He endured much to keep a constant Christian presence in place there. Thank you Peter. Recover quickly and rest well. We know that you will be returning once you have restored yourself.

Daryna has stepped forward and offered to accompany us when needed during our stay. She has a great love for the family and has been at Luda's side to help regularly. Her translating skills are
at the same high level as her love for the Lord. .

June 04 2008

2008-06-04T11:27:00.005-04:00

Excitement and anticipation emerge as we once again approach our departure date for our return to Ukraine. We will leave Orlando on June 09 and arrive at Borisipil Airport on June 10 in the afternoon. We expect to be greeted by Tolik and quickly whisked off to the family home in Rogoziv which is less than a half hour away.

It will be a joyous reunion with the family. Although we all spent time together in the home during last Christmas season, when the children were allowed to leave the orphanage for a visit, this will be the first time that we will all be together since they have been released from the orphanage. Initially, there will be plenty of hugging, playing and laughing and perhaps exchange of a few gifts. It is our intent that it will then be family life as usual.

Early on, we hope to engage in a family meeting to discuss the meaning and direction of this new Christian family, with focus on the roles of all involved including "Babushka and Deduska Rymer". Notably, we expect to consider and refer to this as a Christian Family and not a foster home or foster family. Foster home suggests transciency and that clearly is not appropriate. Tolik and Luda have legal guardianship of the children. This is a family being grounded in permanency. The family will grow together in Christ as the children mature, finish education, gain employment, start families and take meaningful roles within their community, Church and country. Семья вместе !

Soon after our arrival we plan to spend a few days with our new friends and partners in Lifesong for Orphans. A review and visit of the work that they are doing with orphans in Kharkiv region is a high priority. We are enthused about exploring the options available to us as we seek to find the direction of our future involvement in orphan care in Ukraine. As usual, there is that ever present "certain uncertainty" as we continue to pray that God will direct us as in straightforward manner much as He has during our prior visits.

Peter has returned to Krasny Hutor to keep open some sense of Christian presence for the children there. He will be joining us in Rogoziv upon arrival. We will be spending time discussing his future role personally along with his possible involvement in our unfolding mission. Daryna will also be spending some time with us, perhaps accompanying us to Kharkiv. Later on in our visit we expect to join with her and Zhenya Ivasko's team while they are conducting a summer camp program at Gorodnya Orphanage. Some of you will remember that we visited there on an earlier trip and found warm welcome from the director and the compassionate staff there.

Gorodnya is close to Chernigov. And as such we hope to spend some time in Chernigov visiting with Oleg Boyko and getting updated on the Rotary project at Krasny Hutor. As well, we hope to learn more about the trade schools, grad dormitories and other orphanages in the area. We are closely examining whether Chernigov will become a focus of our future attention is it is related to Kransy Hutor through the trades schools and proximity.